Pioneer History 



SE County 



CLIFF D. GATES 




y/r<.-y^ /./'. 



HENRY A. WISE 
Statesman and Orator. Born December 3, i!So6; died September 12, 1876. 



Pioneer History of Wise County 

From Red Men to Railroads- 
Twenty Years of Intrepid History 



BY 

CLIFF D. GATES 



Compiled under the auspices of the Wise County 
Old Settlers' A ssociation 



" Let us search more and more into the Past; let all 
men explore it, as the true fountain of knowledge; 
by whose light alone, consciously or unconsciously 
employed, can the present and the future be inter- 
preted or guessed at." — Carlyle. 



"A people that take no pride in the noble achieve- 
ments of remote ancestors will never achieve anything 
worthy to be remembered with pride by remote 
descendants." — Macauley. 



DECATUR, TEXAS. 
1907. 






v^-<^--\- 



LIBRARY ^f CONGRESS 
\<w C'-o"*."! Rec.fweo 

SEP 14 iy08 

•C0P"» A. * 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1907, by 

Cliff D. Cates 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C. 



I 



Press of Nixon-Jones Printing Company- 
Saint Louis, Mo. 



.^ 



-K) 



Reverently dedicated to the Old Settlers of 
Wise County whose memories and faces I 
am profoundly gratified to perpetuate. 



TEXAS. 

Empire majestic, with thy bead so proud, 

Pillowed on mountain heights of snow and cloud; 

And kingly feet laved by the tepid tide 

Of Aztec waters, sun-kissed, free and wide ! 

Realm of eternal spring and blessedness, 

Of flower's breath, and mock-bird songs that cease 

Not, all the golden months of all the year! 

Land of cerulean sky, low-dipped, and clear! 

Oh, prairies boundless, breeze-tossed, cattle-nipped! 

Oh, hidden streams, translucent and deer-sipped! 

Oh, sweet hills verdant-footed, purple hazed! 

Oh, fields of cotton-snow and golden maize. 

Oh, valleys of low-lying, blue-green wheat. 

Up where the mesa and the cold waves meet! 

What wonder that men's blood leapt forth, to flow 

Chivalric, for thee, at the Alamo? 

Land of my birth, and soul's intensest love! 

Dear is thy soil, thy calm, blue sky, above; ' 

Dear are thy aims to all my eager heart, 

And dear thy people, of myself a part. 

Dear is thy soil? It holds my sacred dead, 

And precious living! Thus, I lift my head. 

And eyes, and heart, across a continent. 

Bearing to thee this holy sentiment, 

This little volume, and its fate, I lay 

Upon thy big heart's largess. Is it "Nay, 

We are too busy, empire-building, child. 

To loiter, dallying with thy blossoms wiUl, 

And pretty little heart-songs. Go thy way; 

We'll hearken to thee on some idler day" ? 

But, friends, some idler day we may be dead, 

And all these words, so comforting, unsaid. 

See, I am speaking to the j)ersonal heart, 

And it is well : no great things ever start 

From cold concretions. Give me one heart's smile, 

And I will win the whole world, after — Awhile. 

— Mrs. Belle Hunt Shortridge 

New York, November 1, 1890. 

(Dedicatory poem to her volume of verses entitled "Lone Star Lights.") 



CONTENTS 

PAGE. 

Preface 9 

Introduction 13 

SECTION ONE. 



Chapter I. 

1. The Coining of the First Settlers — First Home and 

Environments 25 

2. Subsequent Arrivals and Localities'Sought . . 32 

3. Gregarious Tendencies Notable in Settlement . . 37 

Chapter II. 
1. Cactus Hill 39 

Chapter III. 
1. The Pioneer Store and Merchant . . 46 

Chapter IV. 
1. Land and Pre-emption Claims 49 

Chapter V. 
1. The Delaware Indians 51 

Chapter VL 

1. Church and School Beginnings ..... 54 

2. Sand Hill as a Center '. . . . . . .54 

3. Old Swayback 55 

Chapter VH. 

1. Organization of the County 60 

2. First Election and Remarks 63 

(5) 



3 CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Chapter VIII. 

1. County Seat Contest 69 

2. County Seat Located — Called Taylorsville ... 70 

3. Bishop Lays Out Town of Taylorsville ... 72 

4. Beginning of Decatur . 74 

5. First School, Church and Other Beginnings at De- 

catur 78 

6. Miscellaneous Notes— Pioneer Infant .... 79 

Chapter IX. 
1. Second Village in County Established — Prairie Point 81 

Chapter X. 

1. Analysis of the Citizenship — Study of the Times and 

Manners — -Problems and Conditions ... 82 

2. Early Markets and Commerce 88 

3. Farming Modes and Conditions 90 

4. Wild Game — Buffalo — Wild Horses — Trained In- 

stinct in Horses 95 

5. Cattle and Hogs, and Conditions 99 

6. Home Life 93 

7. Social Life, Amusements and Pleasures . 103 

Chapter XI. 
1. Summing Up First Period 108 

SECTION TWO. 



WAR PERIOD. 



Introductory Statement 112 

Chapter I. 
1. Local Attitude Toward Issues of War . . . . 114 



CONTENTS. 7 

PAGE. 

Chapter II. 
. Military Organization 116 

Chapter III. 
. Raising Companies for Confederate Service . 120 

Chapter IV. 
. Changes and Conditions Incident to War . . . 127 

Chapter V. 
. Conspiracy of the Peace Party 130 

Chapter VI. 
. A Glance at Decatur in War Time .... 134 

Chapter VII. 
. Pursuit and Arrest of Deserters 139 

Chapter VIII. 
. Changes in County Administration at End of War . 143 

Chapter IX. 
. Demonstration of the Union League . . . . 148 

Chapter X. 
. Conditions Briefly Summed Up 154 

SECTION THREE. 



INDIAN DEPREDATION PERIOD. 



Introduction 157 

1. Sad Death of Brave Young Bill Birdwell . . . 163 



CONTENTS. 



2. 
3. 
4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 



9. 
10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 
16. 

17. 

18. 
19. 



20. 



Death of Jake Moffiit and Escape of Alonzo Dill 

The Extermination of the Russell Family . 

Big Raid in Which John Bailey and Mrs. Mck were 

Killed 

Massacre and Capture of Babb Family 

Murder of Nick Dawson . 

Captain Ira Long's Hot Engagement 

Death of Conelly and Weatherby and Wounding of 

Clabe Cates .... 
Captain Earheart's Exploits . 
Capture of the Ball Boys 
Killing of Johnson Miller 
Brave Fight of Frank Coonis 
Death of George Halsell . 



Pleas Bryant Wounded . 

Capture and Detention of Ran ^>asey 

Captain George Stevens, John Hogg and Jenning 
Brothers' Fight on the Wichitas 

Raids and Killings in South and Southwest Wise 
County 

Brief Comments on the Times and Indian Marauding 
Characteristics 

Epoch-Marking Event in Savage Depredation His- 
tory — Last Raid in Wise County — ^Assassination of 
Huff Family 

Result of Huff Massacre — End of Trouble — Summing 
Up 



PAGE. 
166 

168 

171 
174 

178 
181 

183 
186 
188 
189 
190 
191 
191 
193 



SECTION FOUR. 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



195 



197 



207 



210 



217 



222 



SECTION FIVE. 

MODERN WISE COUNTY 



355 



SECTION SIX. 

ADVERTISEMENTS 387 



PREFACE 

Beyond a half century of time has intervened since the drama 
of settlement was enacted on the pioneer stage of Wise County; 
The memory of the events are growing dim in the minds of the 
remaining actors, who themselves are dropping, one by one, 
behind the scenes, never to return again before the foot-lights 
of time. Recognition of these somber truths has led to the 
compilation of the facts introduced in this book. The language 
used is inartistic, yet the facts themselves are there and must 
remain. For the errors of composition glaring forth from every 
page, it would be appropriate to apologize, but such an act 
would convict the writer of attitudinizing as a professional in 
the art of composition, a position that is at once waived and 
disclaimed. It has profoundly gratified me to be the means of 
the perpetuation of the lives of the pioneer fathers, their loyal 
acts and doings, into indestructible record, and while the struc- 
ture is humiliating, it is none the less true that the opportunity 
to perform so felicitous a service has been responded to with the 
gratitude that a recognition of the high merit of the general 
task confers. 

Perhaps more experience in the general details of the kind of 
work would have resulted in a more satisfactory volume. As 
respects the details of composition alone. Prof. Arlo Bates' 
meaning is acutely realized in his statement '' that the fault 
Qf a great deal of unsatisfactory wi'iting is that the author is 
endeavoring to inform himself as he composed. He has been 
feeling his way, and is really ready to begin only when he has 
finished," based upon which the writer aims, in a measure, to 
justify the crudities of his work by pleading guiltiness to Prof. 
Bates' charge. Obviously improvements could be made if the 
work were begun over and completed again; however, the lack 
of time makes such impracticable. 

But it would be nurturing hypocrisy to think that the language 
used has not conveyed some idea of the spirit of the times com- 
prehended. Truthful conceptions of former experiences and 

(9) 



10 PREFACE. 

phases of existence have been interpreted from far more com- 
plex and indistinguishable mediums than modern, amateur, 
vulgarizations of the English language. As Mr. Carlyle has 
said: ''History has been written with quipo-threads, with 
feather-pictures, with wampum belts, still oftener with earth 
mounds and monumental stone-heaps — whether as pyramid 
or cairn," assm'edly from the jumble of incoherent statements 
to be here encountered, readers can decipher a sufficiently clear 
realization of the character of the foundation upon which the 
structure of their present county life is estabhshed. 

From the same message in which was embodied the above 
quotation from Mr. Carlyle, another is found which expresses 
a principle adhered to by the writer in the preparation of this 
record. Relating to the office of historian and the character of 
fact to be presented, the quotation in full is as follows: " For 
whereas of old, the charm of history lay chiefly in gratifying 
our common appetite for the wonderful, for the unknown; and 
her office was but that of a minstrel and story-teller, she has 
now further become a school-mistress, and professes to instruct 
in gratifying." In most of the so-called histories of Texas 
counties examined in connection with the present labors, em- 
phasis has been found, too often, to have been placed on the 
ephemeral or ludicrous phases of the lives of the people repre- 
sented, a temptation that has not been yielded to in the present 
instance. The admixture of anecdote with fact tends, as pres- 
ently viewed, to weaken the latter, which admittedly is the 
most important; further, could the issue be left to posterity, 
there would unquestionably be a decision in favor of fact. It 
will not be here assumed that the lighter sides of life have no 
relative value; on the contrary they have, and the instances 
of this character gathered in connection with other matter, 
but eliminated for certain just reasons, will doubtless be pre- 
sented in a second volume at a later date. 

While the aim has been to present the substance of the topic 
investigated, and that truthfully and accurately, it has not been 
possible, in every instance, to reach this high and well nigh 
unattainable ideal. From the point of view of the numerous 
witnesses there will be many misstatements and much garbling 



PREFACE. 11 

of fact, upon which account anticipations of criticism abide 
uncomfortably in the prospect. The hope of any two witnesses 
seeing the same occurrence in the same Ught has long been 
annihilated by our courts of justice, and in this book, which 
focalizes the statements of many, entire harmoniousness in 
this respect, is not to be contemplated. " The old story of Sir 
Walter Raleigh's looking from his prison window on some 
street tumult, which afterwards three witnesses reported in 
three different ways, himself differing from them all, is still a 
true lesson for us." — (Carlyle.) Because of this human char- 
acteristic it is hoped that some of the essence of charity will be 
combined with the vitriol of criticism in the consideration of 
this work. 

In the matter of compiling data relating to court and county 
administration, the task of accumulation has been rendered 
difficult by the two court-house fires which the county has sus- 
tained, and which destroyed all the old pioneer books and 
documents of value. On this account very little of the early 
transactions of the kind could be presented. 

The few remaining pioneers have lived free, open and un- 
fettered lives ; in most all instances they have rebelled against 
being subjected to restricted and narrowing routines, which 
condition, coupled with the impatience natural to their advanced 
ages, has rendered the work of securing the treasures of their in- 
formation, a delicate and subtle task, necessitating in most every 
case the invoking of patience, diplomacy and tact. It is in justice 
to say, however, that all have withstood the fire of questioning 
creditably, and with a degree of willingness manifested that 
reflected their great interest in and appreciation of the ends to 
be attained. 

Those who have contributed valuable assistance and material 
would constitute an elaborate list, all of whom cannot be men- 
tioned; it remains, however, to name a few whose contributions 
have been found of especial importance. Mr. Herbert E. 
Bolton, of the Texas Historical Association, Austin, was instru- 
mental in piloting the writer over some of the preliminary shoals 
of the historian's route; the Dallas News kindly loaned copies 
of its early Texas Almanacs; Col. B. B. Paddock's " History of 



12 PREFACE. 

North West Texas " has been of the gi'eatc^t assistance in out- 
lining the status of affairs in this section of Texas at stated 
periods, helps which will be found noted in the numerous quota- 
tions to follow ; the old settlers have demonstrated encouraging 
enthusiasm all along; Col. G. B. Pickett has been especially 
approachable and cordial on all occasions; Mr. J. D. ^^'hite has 
shown a fatherly interest; his keen intellectual grasp and 
memory of the situation has been of inestimable value. Mr. 
Charles D. Cates has sat for hours patiently and kindly divulging 
himself of the comprehensive knowledge so strikingly retained 
of the whole of the pioneer life. The county press, Avithout 
exception, has been loyal and helpful; the Wise County Messen- 
ger, the Decatur News, the enterprising Proctor Bros, of the 
Bridgeport and Boyd Indexes, the Chico Review and the Alvord 
Bud,et are all deserving of commendation. 

The writer is further under many obligations to Mrs. Kate 
Hunt Craddock, of Terrell, Texas; Mrs. Mary G. Shown, of 
Jacksboro, Texas; Mrs. Juha A. Stewart, of Frederick, 0. T., 
and Mrs. Susie Newton Long, of Denison, Texas, for many 
favors. The Executive Committee of the Old Settlers' Associa- 
tion, Messrs. W. D. Paschall, W. J. Mann, C. V. Terrell, J. G. 
Gose, H. L. Ward, J. A. Renshaw, T. L. Ball, and T. Perrin, 
has made the work its own. President John H. Wallace has 
ably and energetically advised, guided and directed, while the 
persistent and unflagging friends of the effort have been Messrs. 
Wallace, Gose, White, Terrell and Charles D. Cates, without 
whose countless kindly assistances this work in its present shape 
could not have been evolved. 

The simple lessons to be conveyed from the contemplation of 
the lives of the pioneers, reflected in these pages, are those of 
bravery in the face of real danger, persistency in the teeth of 
great obstacles, and joyousness in the midst of gloom. With 
Carlyle you are asked to '' look with reverence into the dark, 
untenanted places of the past, where in formless oblivion, our 
chief benefactors, with all their sedulous endeavors, hut not wyith 
the fruit of these, lie entombed. 

Cliff D. Cates. 

Decatur, Texas, October 19th, 1907. 



INTRODUCTION 

Wise County Spawned in the Midst of Alarms and 
Presages of Alarms. 

The settlement of the territory afterward to become Wise 
County began in the fall of the year of 1853, when the first 
prospective white settlers arrived to view the country. From 
this date until the latter fifties immigration continued to flow 
in, but in 1858 or 1859, it was stopped on account of a sanguinary 
occurrence of far-reaching importance which happened within 
the wilds of what is now Jack Count3^ when outlaw Indians 
massacred the Mason and Cameron families on Lost Creek. 
This murder dampened the impulse of immigration, and not 
until many years were normal conditions of safety such as were 
conducive to the influx of civilization, restored. 

Following upon this initial act in a bloody drama of twenty 
years' duration, civil war burst with a fury over the land, lash- 
ing the nation from its center to its outermost frontiers. Caught 
between these two destructive forces, the little community of 
Wise County pined and almost gave up its existence, and twenty 
years later, when white man's war and red man's war had arisen 
like black carrion wings from prostrate prey, the lines of progress 
had receded and a new era of building must be begun again. 

It is needful to obtain a glimpse at the position of these 
ponderous forces, so fraught with violence to the people, at the 
time of the beginning of settlement in Wise County. Three 
hundred years of the dogged disputation of the advancing foot- 
steps of the white man had made Indian savagery and butchery 
a nation-old problem. Its final extinguishment occurred a little 
less than a third of a century ago, and while it was not an ob- 
stacle to be encountered in this county during the first few 
years of settlement, yet its great ugly cloud hung sufficiently 
near to make it a situation for the first incomers to conjure with. 

A certain group of causes had brought a temporary cessation 
of savage attack on the chain of counties of which Wise was 

(13) 



14 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

destined to be a link, and in this ominous pause Wise County 
was spawned. A few short years of infant repose was granted, 
and then the swirhng winds of civil war and savage fury burst 
over her fair dominions, driving many of the elements of her cit- 
izenship to seek safety outside her borders, and converting the 
rising labors of the land into defensive efforts on the one hand, 
and industrial death and stagnation on the other. 

The causes mentioned which operated to stay the savage blade 
for the time being, will reward any who study them with the 
con\iction that they were weak and insecure barriers to savage 
encroachments; furthermore, that it remained only a question of 
time until murders and depredations \yould be committed in 
Wise County. 

An analysis of the situation shows the following conditions to 
be responsible for the reign of peace at this point during the 
early years of settlement. (1) The fewness of numbers of 
people, a condition contributing to the allaying of savage resent- 
ment and jealousy. (2) The direct influence of President 
Houston's conciliatory policy and the tn^aty of peace negotiated 
at Bird's Fort, Tarrant County, in 1843. (3) The confinement 
of many of the warlike tribes on the reservation at Ft. Belknap 
under guard of United States soldiers. (4) The diversion of 
the attention of the remaining wild tribes to the Pan HantUe 
section, where active punitive operations were being pursued 
against them by Texas Rangers. That these were weak and 
insecure barriers, was demonstrated in later years when the 
Indians easily burst through and began their hostile attacks on 
the people. 

The general political conditions obtaining at the time was the 
rapid sway which the fanaticism of abolition was gaining in the 
nation. This anon reached a culmination in the conflict be- 
tween the North and the South, which, having its beginning 
contemporaneous with the early years of settlement in Wise 
County, was the second great obstacle placed in the pathway of 
the community then on its first walking legs. Since most all 
observant j^ersons are acquainted with both the causes and the 
general historical detail of the civil and the Texan Indian ^^"ars, 
it is not deemed necessary to include any such explanation here. 



INTRODUCTION. 15 

Such space as would be allotted to same will be occupied with 
brief descriptions of other political and industrial questions and 
movements which were in suspension at the time of the first 
settlement of Wise County. 

The settlement of the county was begun in that era of develop- 
ment which followed the annexation of Texas to the Union, 
when the burdens of an independent republic were shouldered 
by another power, leaving the energies of the state free to work 
out its salvation. The state was now rid of the necessity of 
settling the questions of the state boundaries, the state debt, 
and of the Indians, and could turn its attention to railroad build- 
ing, and to the perfection of an educational policy, both great 
departments having long been neglected. 

Two great lines of railroad now traverse Wise County, yet the 
first spike in the railroad system of the state which has the 
greatest railroad mileage of any state in the union was not 
driven until 1854, contemporaneous with the building of the 
first home in Wise County. The road was the old Buffalo 
Bayou, Brazos Valley and Colorado, started at Harrisburg with 
Austin as the prospective termination. Many landowners in 
Wise County will recognize the initials of the above names in 
their abstracts of title, a circumstance brought about from the 
fact that much of the land granted by the state as a bonus to 
the promoters of the B. B. B. & C. lay in this county. 

A second line started about this time was the Houston and 
Texas Central, the first railroad that started its track into the 
wilds of north Texas. Contemporaneous also with these be- 
ginnings 'was that of another which the writer yields to the 
temptation to mention here. This was the Memphis, El Paso 
and Pacific, one portion of which had actually been surveyed 
from Texarkana to the " West Fork of the Trinity River in 
Wise County," a distance of 224| miles. This survey was made 
in the year 1856, the year Wise County was organized, so it 
is seen just how many years the famous " East Line " has been 
in a state of promotion. 

The above passages reflect the larger industrial and political 
matters of interest obtaining in the state and nation at this date, 
which became of much significance to Wise Countyians. 



16 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUXTY. 



STATE POLITICS. 

The two administrations of Governors Elish M. Pease and 
Hardin R. Runnells comprehend the period in which the settle- 
ment and organization of the county was perfected. It was 
about this time also that men began to be selected for office for 
the jxjlitical views entertained by them as opposed to the old 
mode, which was to make selections on the strength of reputa- 
tion or personal popularity. In 1854 the taint of " Know- 
nothingism " appeared in the state. "It was a political excres- 
cence" inimical to foreign immigration and antagonistic to the 
Roman Catholic Church. After prospering for a whik* the cult 
waned and died. Governor Henry A. Wise, of \'irginia, the man 
after whom Wise County was named, achieved great prom- 
inence as an opponent of ''Knownothingism," and doubtless 
contributed more than any other statesman to its deserved 
destruction. Hardin R . Runnells was elected governor in 1855, 
and his administration was chiefly distinguished by his advice 
to the state to secede from the Union. 

The imi)ression to be gained from the above resume of con- 
ditions ap])ertaining at the time of the county's first settlement 
is one freighted with prophecies of much coming evil for the 
count}'. The Indians were all but ready to defile upon the 
peoi)]e, and in the high councils of the state and nation, the rep- 
resentatives of the people were citing just causes of alarm, 
fore warnings that civil strife lay not far distant. It was indeed 
an inoi)iJortune hour to hang the frail fabric of a new community 
in the whisi)eriiig breez(^s that presaged the advance of a double- 
funnelled storm. 

But to the hardy pioneer there was nothing before but a 
smiling landscape, bedecked below with wild flowers and arched 
above with heavien's smiling blue skies. Here he found the 
consummation of his dreams, the freedom which his imagina- 
tion had pictured for him. That ominous cloud resting on the 
horizon was not to cast a shadow on the sublime prospect that 
lav before. 



INTRODUCTION. 17 

EXTENT OF SETTLEMENT IN CONTIGUOUS COUNTIES PRECEDING 
AND FOLLOWING SETTLEMENT OF WISE COUNTY. 

What is known as the Peters Colony grant exercised more 
influence in the settlement of North Texas than any other 
factor. The old settlements of north and northeast Texas had 
long clung to these sections, and were slow to advance. Even 
when they had reached out as far as Lamar, Red River, and 
Fannin Counties, the impulse of westward movement seems to 
have waned, not to be resumed until the Peters Colon}'' scheme 
was set on foot. This great grant involved many counties 
stretching over the north and northwest part of the state, 
numbered among which was Wise County and others still further 
west. Settlements in most of these rich counties were due to 
the direct influence of this grant, but before the tide of immigra- 
tion had reached Wise County, the contract between the Peters 
promoters and the state had expired. This left the territory 
of Wise County to hew out its own destiny, but the wave of 
immigration which had been set in motion soon rolled over 
into Wise County, and the first white settler entered ^s a pros- 
pector here in the fall of 1853. 

The lands covered by the Peters grant were extensively adver- 
tised in the leading Eastern and Southern papers, so that when 
the contract with the state had expired, north Texas lands had 
gained a rising reputation throughout the East and Old South. 
As soon as the lands again came under the control of the state, 
very generous inducements began to be ofi'ered in the way of 
free gifts of land as a means of inducing immigration. It was 
in response to these inducements that Wise County and others 
were settled. 

The state census of 1850, quoted below indicates the degree 
of settlement attained in the counties immediately contiguous 
to Wise County, before the latter county was entered: 

County. • Population. Acres in Cultivation. 

Dallas 2943 7305 

Grayson 2008 5891 

Cooke 220 433 

Collins 1950 6697 

Denton 641 2131 

Tarrant. 664 1726 

2 



18 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

In 1855, according to Mr. Paddock, the frontier line was on 
the north in Grayson County, thence extended through Denton, 
Wise, Parker, Palo Pinto, Eastland, Brown, Lanipassas, Burnett, 
Gillespie, Kendall, Bexar, and south to San Patricio. Because 
of the beginning of Indian hostilities at this point in the march 
of innnigration, the above line remained stationary for twenty 
years. It is thus shown that Wise County occupied a position 
in the chain of frontier counties that bore the brunt of frontier 
hardships longer, perhaps, than fell to the lot of any other Texas 
county. Denton County was organized in 1846, ten years pre- 
ceding Wise. At that time the county supported three villages, 
Pilot Point, Denton and Alton, and numberetl five hundred and 
three souls. A writer of the time describes the county's afflic- 
tions as follows: ''Bear are plentiful but not profitable, being 
very destructive to corn and hogs." 

Cooke County was created from Fannin County in 1848, and 
the town of Gainsville was established about that time. The 
boundary limits of Cooke County as described at that date are 
as follows : "Beginning on Red River at N. W. corner of Grayson 
County, thence S. to N. line of Denton County, thence W. to 
N. W. corner of Denton County, thence S. thirty miles to S. W. 
corner of said Denton County, thence W. sixty miles, thence N. 
to Red River thence down Red River to place of beginning." 
Within these boundaries which extended to Red River lay 
the territory of Wise County, which was attached to Cooke 
County for judicial purposes. The law at that time pro- 
vided for the division of exterior territory into counties in 
advance of settlement, and contemplated their being at- 
tached for judicial and land purposes to the most convenient 
county or counties. So far as the exercise of local admin- 
istrative power was concerned, the unorganized county was 
generally treated as a part of the county to which it was 
attached. But in matters affecting lands and surveys in Wise 
County, Cooke County shared her control with Denton County, 
there being district land offices at both Denton and Gainsville. 
An air line ran centrally through Wise County from east to west 
and the northern part of the county lay under the control of 
the Gainesville office, while the southern portion applied to the 



INTRODUCTION. 19 

office at Denton. By her organization in 1856, Wise County 
withdrew from the authority of both Cook(> and Denton Counties. 

The original pioneer who entered Wise County embarked from 
Ft. Worth, then a promising little village left behind by the 
United States garrison which had advanced to Ft. Belknap. 
Due to the protection afforded by the garrison, quite a com- 
munity of settlers had congregated in the region, and its central 
point, the fort, bid fair to become a prosperous town. On 
vacating the fort buildings, the soldiers turned them over to 
store keepers, and within a short while several prosperous 
stores were established. Ft. Worth was the most promising vil- 
lage in this section when the first white settler left it for Wise 
County. 

As was stated. Wise County retained her vexatious situation 
as a frontier county for about twenty years. During this lapse 
of time the only coinmunity that achieved promising strength 
to the west of her was the settlement surrounding the fort at 
Belknap, where protection was afforded by the soldiers. Jack, 
Clay and Montague Counties were weakly fortified with white 
citizenship, and at the approach of the war and Indian diffi- 
culties they became nearly abandoned. 

The above remarks are indicative of the position of Wise 
County innnediately preceding and following her first settle- 
ment. 

PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE COUNTY. 

No better description of the general and special appearances 
of the country are obtainable than those which Mr. Paddock has 
embodied in his history of Northwest Texas, as the observations 
of two of the earliest settlers of Tarrant County, namely, Captain 
Ed Terrell and Dr. Carroll M. Peak. Captain Terrell writes of 
date 1843, and his remarks apply with equal force to Tarrant 
and Wise Counties. He says: " In those days this country was 
infested with Indians, and herds of buffalo were all around us. 
There were more panthers in these parts than I have ever seen 
either before or since. Antelope without number, wild turkeys 
in eveiy tree — in fact, in those days this was God's own country." 

Dr. Peak, settling at Ft. Worth in 1853, writes: "With not a 



20 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

tree felled, with every shrub and leaf and flower still here, with 
scarcely a blade of tall grass missing, how grandly did it seem to 
the visitor." In another place, speaking from his position at 
Ft. Worth, he says: ''Still northward and circling to the east 
lay the grand prairie whose grass, long forsaken by the buffalo,* 
only yielded to the tread of the fleet-footed deer and startled 
antelope, and whose vast expanse was reUeved only by the 
graceful windings of Marine Creek, with borders fringed with 
wooded cliffs and the great elevation of the blue moundt to the 
far north. On the eastern boundary of this lovely landscape 
stood the cross timbers, belting the state from Red River and 
running across the state, was one of the most singular provisions 
of nature in the midst of a treeless stretch of prairie. Game was 
very abundant and the streams then abounded in the finest 
fish of greater variety than can now be obtained." 

Two early visitors to the territory of Wise speak as follows: 
both came in from an eastern direction which led them to pass 
over the prairie sections of the county. One says: ''I cannot 
find words to describe the beauty of this Western country; its 
gi'andeur antl sublimity are beyond my powers of expression, 
the valleys alternately none the less attractive, the level 
land, too, covered with green grass and native blooms so early 
in the season. No fences of wire, but so much open range for 
miles." That the natural beauty of the uninhabited domain 
attracted all beholders is also reflected in the remarks of the 
second visitor, who spoke as follows: "When I crossed Denton 
Creek and emerged from the timbers' and gradually ascended 
the gentle rise out upon the wide-spreading prairies, my eyes 
beheld a scene of splendor such as nature only can produce in 
such lavishness, a perfect wilderness of fllowers swaying in the 
soft breeze as though keeping time to the music of the larks 
and the tribes of feathered songsters whose notes made the balm}^ 
air redolent with sweetest music. It was a scene to entrance 
the artist or charm the enthusiast as he looked upon the beautiful 
outpouring of nature's God." The traveller states that he grew 



* Buffalo had at that date been driven farther west, 
t This mound is situated in Denton County. 



INTRODUCTION. 21 

SO enraptured in contemplating the scene that he became 
oblivious of the danger of Indians which threatened him. Both 
these visitors came to the country during its spring-time glory, 
as is indicated by their poetical descriptions, and the last quoted 
visited the country during the days of Indian attack, as is also 
indicated by his remarks. 

From many sources it is learned that every species of animal 
and fowl life indigenous to the zone existed here in the greatest 
profusion, with the one exception of buffalo, which had been 
driven farther west by hunters prior to the time of entrance of 
the first white settlers. In the list of animals is included deer, 
antelope, bear, wolf, panther, wild cat, and all the smaller tribe, 
together with the fowl kingdom, of which the larger varieties 
were turkey and prairie chicken ; the numerous smaller varieties 
of the winged kingdom existed in the greatest abundance. 

TRADITIONAL RECORDS OF LIFE AND ACTIVITY BEFORE 

SETTLEMENT. 

Both traditional and authentic history have becjueathed to 
us records of a varied and active life occurring on Wise County 
soil before it became dedicated to the uses of civilization. Phases 
of it were dramatic and spectacular in the extreme, as will be 
evidenced by the following remarks: 

The conference of President Houston's commissioner, Joseph 
C. Eldredge, with the wild tribes in Wise County, as is recorded 
in John Henry Brown's History of Texas, reads like a page from 
a work of fiction. Eldredge and two companions were dis- 
patched on a long and dangerous tour of the Northwest, with a 
view of acquainting the warring Indians with President Hous- 
ton's peace proposals. This was in the early forties, a full de- 
cade before white citizenship began to emerge into the wilds 
of Wise County. Eldredge's first pause after leaving the old 
state capital at Washington, was on the banks of the West Fork 
in Wise County. Here he anticipated calling the delegates of 
the wild tribes together for a conference, with a view to securing 
their attendance upon a peace conference arranged to occur at 
Bird's Fort, in Tarrant County, a few months distant, which was 
to be attended by President Houston in person. 



22 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUXTY. 

To this first camp on the West Fork a band of peaceful Dela- 
wares had attended Eldredge as guides and interpreters and had 
consented to go out in search of the wild tribes and invite them 
to visit the commissioner in order that he might inform them of 
President Houston's desires. But from some unknown cause 
the Dela wares rebelled at this point and refused to further prose- 
cute the plans of the commissioner. According to the historians, 
this desertion left Eldredge and companions ''stranded in an 
unknown country, among hostile Indians and far from the habi- 
tants of civilization," a statement quite significant for Wise 
Countyians as showing the status of this country in the early 
forties. The remaining facts of these daring travelers are ob- 
tainable from the volume mentioned above, and the records 
upon which the narrative is based are regarded as important 
historical documents in the departments of the state capitol. 

John Henry Bro\\Ti's second reference to early activity in Wise 
Count}' deals with an ill-fated rangei- expedition which came to 
grief here at the hands of hostile Indians, an instance that is 
further intlicative of the warring spirit of the savages prior to 
the coming of the white man. 

During David G. Burnett's administration as president of the 
republic, a ranger expedition made a tour of the southwestern 
fi'ontier, and when returning down the Colorado River, Lieuten- 
ant Benthysen and twenty-two com})anions separated from the 
main group and made a wide detour to the northwest. In the 
course of their wanderings they came into the territory of Wise 
County, where they came in conflict with a band of hostile In- 
dians. Nine of the men, including Lieutenant Miles, were 
killed, says the historian, and several others wounded. ''Those 
who survived," concludes the writer, "escaped on foot and after 
much suffering, halting for two or three days where the city of 
Dallas now stands, reached the settlements below." 

The above facts are the authentic reports of history. From 
tradition we get details of another sanguinary occurrence — a 
hand-to-hand encounter between a savage and two white settlers. 
Prior to the time when white settlers had reached into Wise 
County, the Indians made a raid on the settlements on Village 
Creek, Dallas Count v. The Indians in turn were chased bv 



INTRODUCTION. 23 

the settlers, the pursued and pursuers running in a northwest 
direction which anon brought them into Wise County. In their 
flight, and under the hot pursuit, the Indians became badly 
scattered, and at a point on a hill a few miles east of Decatur, 
just above where the upper Denton road crosses Cottonwood 
Creek, a deadly hand-to-hand encounter occurred between a 
lone Indian and two white men. At this point the Indian saw 
that he was beaten in the race, so leaping from his horse, he 
backed against a live oak tree and unsheathed his knife pre- 
paratory to a determined resistance. The Indian fought grimly 
for his life, but the outraged white men gave him no quarter. 
Soon he was killed and scalped and a modicum of revenge for 
the cruel deeds perpetrated by the savages achieved. The 
imagination paints a gruesome picture as the mind contem- 
plates this tragic episode occurring back in those far stilly 
times when none but the eyes of heaven saw the terrible con- 
flict waged below between earth's racial brothers. 

Remaining evidiences of early activity are obvious only by in- 
ference.. The fact that only an occasional stag of the great buffalo 
tribe was found by the first settlers bespeaks the enterprise and 
energy of the hunter, who, coming in from the eastern counties, 
had killed countless numbers and driven the remainder to seek 
safety at distances further west. Lieut. Van Benthysen's exploit 
in the county also leads to the conclusion that this section was 
not unknown to the visitation of the daring ranger forces which 
came here on punitive expeditions against the red foe of civili- 
zation. 

However, the highest and most encouraging order of enter- 
prise remains to be mentioned in conclusion. These were the 
land-locating labors of the classes who had by one means and 
another gained certificates of location from the state. Wise 
County, at that time being public domain, was subject to the 
various provisions of location and pre-emption which a magnan- 
imous state, rich in lands but poor in money, had contrived to 
pay the debts it owed for service in its wars, and as contribu- 
tions to the promotion of industrial enterprises, principally 
railroads. 

Numerous large railroad grants were located in Wise County, 



24 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

and smaller claims were spread here without number. These 
were the first real signs of a changing order of events. Civiliza- 
tion could not be far behind when prairie and forest wastes 
began to attract the attention of the speculator and prospector. 
The foregoing paragraphs constitute a recital of a moving 
and temporary form of life, and unless viewed in the proper light 
and perspective, a delusive idea as to the true conditions will be 
received. There was no union, nor cohesion, in all the phases of 
activity that have been described; there was no stationary life 
or population and no vestiges of effort to convert the country 
into a civilized dominion. The events described were widely 
separated in time and occurrence, and intervening between 
was the eternal, brooding silence of a lonely and unpeopled land. 
Upon the latter the sun looked down by day and the moon and 
stars by night. Its pristine beauty remained undefiled by man 
and the grimy accoutrements of his civilization. Embalmed 
in that 

"Sleep that knows not breaking, 
Morn of toil, nor night of waking." 

it lay awaiting the touch of the minions of development and 
civilization, but beneath its roses of beauty slumbered the thorns 
of its adversity — the pricking evidence of nature that she does 
not surrender her best and fullest without exacting trial, afflic- 
tion and mortal toil as her compensation. 



CHAPTER I. 

The Coming of the First Settlers — First Home and En- 
vironment. 

While in a reminiscent mood, ex-Governor Bob Taylor gave 
utterance to the following expression: ''When I was a bare- 
footed boy away up among the mountains where nature sings 
her sweetest song and brawling brooks laugh in the sunshine 
and dance in the shadows, I used to sit on the banks of the 
river and watch the caravans of covered wagons creeping like 
mammoth snails with their shells on their backs, southward to 
the wilderness of Texas. I did not dream then that the ragged, 
rosy-cheeked children who crowded under the wagon covers 
were the prophecies of wealth and power and glory of the great- 
est empire that was ever born on this continent. But so it was. 
The caravans landed their precious freight in the wilds of Texas. 
The blue smoke began to curl upward from the cabins of the 
pioneers, * * * n^^ little ragged, candy-haired children 
grew up into a race of the fairest women and the bravest men 
that the sun in heaven ever shone upon." 

In Governor Taylor's remarks we have a poetic description 
of two significant events — the abandoning of an "old country" 
and the settlement of a new. The scenes there depicted were 
enacted true to life in Wise County. We find the first blue 
smoke curling upward here in the autumn of the year 1853, 
but only that of a camp fire, around which were gathered three 
lonely individuals who had been attracted to the country as 
prospectors. The actual settlement was delayed until 1854, 
when the blue smoke began to emerge from the chimney top of 
a pioneer cabin and the settlement of the county was inaugu- 
rated. 

Sam Woody was the individual whom fate had selected to 
stand on the threshold of the county as the advance guard of 
the thronging civilization to follow. Fate laid her hands upon 
him in the mountains of his Tennessee home, and directed his 

(25) 



26 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY 



footsteps hither to this region where a glorious new communit)'' 
was to be estabhshed. 

When Woody had reached about the age of twenty-one, the 
mountains of Tennessee seemed to grow more perpendicular — 
the valleys narrower and the opportunities for a livelihood 
scantier, and he became possessed of a restlessness to scale the 
heights in search of a broader and freer land. His desire took 
foi-ni in action, ending in his embarking with his wife and 




SAM WOODY. 



MRS. SAM WOODY. 



meager effects on a raft on the Tennessee riv(>r, on which he 
floated down to the Mississippi and thence down that stream to 
the Louisiana banks, from where he went across country to 
Shreveport. His first temporary destination in Texas was in 
Upshur County, but he did not remain there long, for in 1849 
the grand onward march to California set in and swept him as 
far west as the little village of Ft. Worth in Tarrant County. 



THE COMING OF THE FIRST SETTLERS. 27 

Fate was gradually drawing him toward the region which he 
was to enter as the original occupant. He remained in the 
vicinity of Ft. Worth, an undecided and prospective immigrant 
for some time — to be exact, until the autumn of 1853, when, in 
company with two others, Jim Mann and Ben Crews, he ap- 
proached the Trinity River at Ft. Worth and followed its wind- 
ing course up stream until he emerged into the then territory 
of Wise County in its southern pait. Prospecting about, he 
came upon a beautiful valley, afterwards called Boyd's Valley, 
about three miles north of the present village of Aurora, and 
there he located the magnet that had drawn him from his 
Tennessee mountains to the teeming wilds of the Southwest. 
This proved to be a level stretch of rich soil surrounded by timber 
and water, which abounded in game and fish of the greatest 
•variety. 

At its sight his restlessness grew quiescent, and he knew that 
he had stumbled upon the fulfillment of his hopes. Returning 
to Ft. Worth he spent the remainder of the winter in prepara- 
tion, and in April, 1854, he again approached the Trinity River, 
this time accompanied by his wife and two sons. Will and Drew, 
and an Indian guide, and returned to the spot he had selected 
for a home. When, behold! rising from a fire built close to a 
lean-to camp structure was the smoke of another pioneer — an 
invader who had come in and laid the claim of proprietorship 
over the very spot which had appealed to him on his first journey. 

The new arrival gave the name of Tom McCarroll and Dallas 
County as the point of his embarkation for this territory. Woody 
acquiesced in McCarroll's claim and set about to seek a new 
location. McCarroll proved to be genial and accomodating, and 
directed Woody to a region further to the north, which he 
thought to be a fit substitute for the location which, coinci- 
dentally had enticed the two primary citizens with its attrac- 
tions. At present this latter spot, a rich and productive farm, 
is known as the old John Prunty place. 

Guided by McCarroll's directions. Woody went north until he 
came to the untamed region in question, when he was again 
pleased by the surroundings. The soil spread out in the valley 
Was rich, the forests virgin, the environing prairie hilltops 



28 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 




O ^ 



S ^ 



THE COMING OF THE FIRST SETTLERS. 29 

bedecked with flowers and tall waving grass. Down through 
the valley coursed a creek of ever-flowing water; its banks were 
deep, perpendicular and precipitous, from which formations it 
gained its name, Deep Creek. 

Here on the banks of historic old Deep Creek, the first real 
home, the first house and the first farm in the history of the 
county were established. 

As soon as possible Woody began to build his house, being 
assisted in the work by his kinsmen, Jim and John Woody, 
original settlers of Parker County, who had come over to help 
hew the logs and place them in position. The house was built 
solidly of logs, and still stands as a monument to that bygone 
period. A photograph of same accompanies these remarks. It 
was a one-room structure, sixteen feet square, in which all the 
household occui)ations were carried on. At one end a large open 
fire-place was built with a chimney reaching outside. The 
house faced south on the public road and a small porch faced in 
that direction. 

When finished. Woody 's home was the one lone habitation in 
a wild territory hundreds of miles square which had already 
begun to attract the attention of Eastern and Southern innni- 
grants. A few of these began to arrive in the fall of the year, 
and with them land traffickers, prospectors and investigators. 
Among them was Senator Robert Tombs, the famous Georgia 
statesman, who, as a member of the firm of Crawford, Tombs 
and Catlett, had located many hundred of acres in the 
territory and came here repeatedly to attend to the interests of 
the firm. Senator Toombs was a guest in the humble home of 
Woody for many weeks. As has been said, Mr. Woody 's home 
was the one abode to which the incoming prospectors could 
resort for comfort, cheer and protection. On a dreary winter's 
night, just before Christmas of the first y(»ar (1854), eighteen 
tired and weary guests lay down to slumber in this sixteen-foot 
room. Wrapped in their blankets, they lay stretched before a 
roaring fire, which was fed throughout the night by the genial 
and hospitable host; here they slept and dreamed of golden 
conc^uests in a land of fresh opportunities. 



30 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

Mr. Woody has said of the motives that brought him hither:* 
"The prettiest sight I ever saw is a new country, where man has 
never been and which is just as tlie great God of Heaven left it; 
where every stream is full of fish and every hollow tree is gorged 
with honey. The wild life and nature at first hand suited me." 
And describing the early life he says further: '^It was easy to 
live in those days. Sow five or six acres of wheat and it would 
often produce 'fifty bushels to the acre; cut it with a cradle, 
tramp and fan it out, then once or twice a year load up a wagon 
to which fiv(^ or six steers were hitched, and after a week's trip 
to Dallas you would have enough flour to give bread to your own 
family and some to the neighbors for a number of weeks, until 
it would be the turn of some one else to make the trip. If we 
had bread enough, game was always plentiful. Hogs would 
get so fat on acorns they couldn't walk. After marking them 
we let them run wild, and trained our dogs to run them in 
whenever we wanted a supply of pork. Now and then we sent 
a wagon to Shreveport or Houston for coffee and sugar and such 
groceries, but we did not use sugar much. I paid a dollar for a 
pint of the first sorgum seed planted in Wise County, and 
molasses was the commonest kind of "sweetening." When we 
got tired of game and pork we killed a beef. By swinging a 
quarter high up to the limb of a tree it would be safe from wild 
animals and would keep sweet for weeks, and it was a connnon 
sight in our country to see the woman of the house untying the 
rope and letting down the meat to cut off enough for dinner." 

Speaking of the Indians at that time he said: " I reckon I 
didn't know the disposition of the Indians. I was never afraid 
of them, didn't have sense enough, I guess. I used to trade 
with them at my house until they got hostile, and for a little 
corn they would give me the finest buffalo robe or moccasins 
you ever saw. I only wish I had kept some of those things, 
they would be worth lots of money now." 

With all the free domain stretched out before him and he 
alone to partake of it wherever he would, it is rather singular 
that this pioneer citizen encountered two obstacles that re- 



* Paddocks "History of Northwest Texas." 



THE COMING OF THE FIRST SETTLERS. 31 

strictecl his actions in a manner natural only to closely populated 
territories. In the first place, as has been descril^ed, his original 
location was pre-empted from under him by another during his 
absence; in the second place, when on going to run the boundary 
lines of his second location, he found them conflicting with the 
line marks of a survey which had been made in the name of 
Crawford, Toombs and Catlett. It was thus necessary for him 
to purchase title from the original locators, which he did in 
l)reference to seeking a third spot on which to pitch his home. 
It is natural to presume, however, that Senator ToomlDS treated 
his former host most generously in this transaction. 

In closing this incident the writer is tempted in fancy to 
stand with Woody at the threshold of this budding community 
and look back over the more than three hundred years of Ameri- 
can civilization to the time when our forefathers first set foot 
on the hallowed soil of the republic, and view their advancing 
footsteps towards this spot, every stride of which is contested 
by that savage race which has given way only in the face of 
Anglo-Saxon courage and determination, until in this the year 
of 1854, their furthermost western reaches are identified in the 
personality of Sam )Voody himself. 

Since the expedition of Cabeza de Vaca to Texas in 1835, 
three centuries and a half of waiting and preparation had been 
recjuired to make it feasible for Woody to stand here on that 
April day, the distinguished denizen of the dividing line between 
an old and a rich civilization to the east and the point where 
its frazzled edge dips suddenly and is lost in vast primeval 
forests and uninhabited wastes of prairie. 

It is a moment tense with romance, and I with Woody feel 
the pressure of it behind and before. Looking behind our 
position is realized as the forerunners of civilization, and looking 
before, our hopes spring up as we view the glorious flower of life 
which is to blossom forth from the germ we are planting here 
to-day. 

No chronicles of future times of peace should fail to make 
due record of this romantic moment of germ planting. 



32 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



SUBSEQUENT ARRIVALS AND LOCALITIES SOUGHT. 

A few other settler families had straggled in by the time of 
the waning of summer 1854. John Butler, of whom little can 
be learned, should be mentioned here as being one of the first 
of the above class. He chose a place in the eastern part of the 
county, in the neighborhood of the point where Catlett Creek 
intersects with Denton Creek, on which he built a log cabin. 
In July or August, William Calhoun came in with his family 

and pre-empted a location 
on Oliver Creek. The 
winter of 1854 and 55 
seems to have been a pro- 
pitious time for the begin- 
ning of an earnest stream 
of innnigration into the 
county, for many arrivals 
are noted in that season. 
Heading the column in the 
Deep Creek community 
were the families of James 
Brooks and Dr. Standifer, 
who settled on Walnut 
Creek, as the first neighbors 
of Mr. Woody. Upon one 
of the days prior to Christ- 
mas of 1854, a child was 
born in the Brooks family, 
the first white child born 
on Wise County soil. The 
child now flourishes in the 
matured person of James 
Brooks, Jr., formerly of Wise County, but at present living 
in El Paso.* Dr. Standifer had been a surgeon in the U. S. army 
and established at the post of Ft. Worth, which it is said, Dr. 




JIM BROOKS. 



* Since the above reference to James Brooks as being the first white child 
horn in Wise County v.^as written, the writer has had communication with 



SUBSEQUENT ARRIVALS AND LOCALITIES SOUGHT. 



33 



Standifer was largely instrumental in having selected as an army 
post. On coming to Wise County he retired from the active 
practice of medicine, but gave some aid to the sick of his 
community which constituted him the first physician in the 
county. 

On Feb. 28, 1855, the probable thirtl birth in the county, 
occurred to Mr. and Mrs. Woody, a girl afterwards named Betty, 
and who, in later years, married James Boyd of that numerous 
and prominent family of the county. Mrs. Boyd now lives with 
hcY family in Western Texas. 

Following soon after the Brooks' and Standifers' came Stan- 
hope Paschall and family to become permanent settlers in the 
conmumity. 




Mr. Manse McCarroll of Tom Greene County, Texas, and Mrs. Lou Duck- 
worth, of Gibtown. Jack County, Texas, son and daughter of one of the 
original pioneers, namely Tom McCarroll. From statements made by 
these two it appears that Mrs. 
Lou Duckworth, whose maiden 
name was Louisa Woody McCar- 
roll, was born in Wise County, 
Sept. 2nd, 1854, which would 
place the event of her birth 
about three months preceding 
that of James Brooks. Mr. Sam 
Woody was authority for the 
l)articulars relating to the birth 
of Jim Brooks, his statements 
being very positive. Subsequent 
discoveries, however, have mysti- 
fied the situation and it remains 
doubtful which of these two 
shares the honor of being the first 
county born. A photograph of 
Louisa Woody Duckworth, whose 
second name was taken from 
Mr. Sam Woody's mother, who 
was in attendance at the ac- 
couchment of Mrs. McCarroll, 
accompanies these statements. 
Louisa Woody McCarroll married 
D. W. Duckworth of Gibtown, 
Jack County, Texas. 
3 




MRS. LOU DUCKWORTH. 



34 PIONEER HISTORY OF WIS'E COUNTY. 



MUSTER-ROLL OF THE OLD CITIZENSHIP. 

In the following list will be found the names of the majority 
of arrivals in the county during the years of the settlement 
period, which ended shortly before the beginning of the Civil 
War. The list might be described as a scroll of honor on which 
are inscribed the names of those hardy pioneers who stood 
steadfastly to the task of working out the problems incident 
to the first troublous years of the existence of the county. Some 
names have been necessarily left out, because the intervention 
of half a century of time has operated to blot them from mem- 
ory, to which defect the cause of apparent neglect is more clue 
than to the prompting to ignore. The list was prepared under 
the'guidance of an Old Settlers' Committee, and is submitted 
with a conviction of its correctness. The most of the names 
here presented represent the heads of families, but, much to 
the general regret, the list does not include the pioneer wives 
and mothers who bore an equal share of the privations of tlie 
times, sweetened the bitter hours with their love and sympathy, 
and refined and elevated the common life with the inspiration 
of their pure and lofty characters. The exigencies of the situa- 
tion does not provide their names. The list, accompanied by 
the locations occupied, follows: 

Dee}:) Creek and Boyd Valley. Sam ^^''oody and sons, \\[\\ and 
Drew; Ben Crews; Bob Walker; Mat Walker; John Mann 
and sons, Jim, William, Brice, Henry, John and Andrew; 
Tom McCarroll; Stanhope Paschall and sons, Dennis, Jack 
and John; Lawrence Ward, Sr., and sons, Henry, Frank, 
Lawrence and Will; Richard Bo3'd and sons, Jim, Tom and 
John; John and Polk Prunty; Ben and Dave Lewcllen; 
Jim ({age; John Mapes; C. C. Leonard; Ben Earp; 

Oliver Creek. Dr. Thomas Stewart; W. W. Bratly; Parson Bebe; 
Marion Tefiteller; Wm. Calhoun; Andy Shoemaker and 
sons, Milton, WiUiam, Lauren, Tom, Jerome and Andy; 
Riley and Neri Hobson; Darb Pyeatt; John Crutchfield; 
Sam and Jim Brandenbursi'. 



MUSTER-ROLL OF THE OLD CITIZENSHIP. 35 

Holmes Valley. Tom Cogdell; Rev. W. H. H. Bradford; Ben 
Monroe; Charles Browder; J. S. Standifer; Jim Brooks; 
Alonzo Dill. 

Walnut Creek Valley. Samuel and Richard Beck; Pleas Bryant; 
Jim Rucker; Nat, Rans, Clabc, Charlie, Bob, Joe and Dave 
Cates; Lemuel Cartwright and sons, Charlie, John, George; 
R. M. Collins; Billie Miller; C. H. Miller. 

Sand Hill. John Roe; J. D. White; Charlie Thompson; Jack 
Hart, Sr. and Jr. ; Wils, Tom and Steve Hart ; Bob Newman ; 
W. A. King. 

Lower Walnut Creek. John Curtner, Sr. and Jr.; Earnest Curt- 
ner; John and William Galley; John Gibbs. 

Aurora. Major Sliinp; Ben and Nick Haney ; John Boyd; John 
Teague; Judge W. S. Oats; Win. Oats and sons, Mark and 
John. 

Huif Valley. Wm. Hudson; Tom Geary; Huff and sons, 

' Matt, Jim, Charles and Budd; Jim Hudson; Joe Dewees. 

Prairie Point {Rhome). Sam Sheets; Tom, Sam and Jim Sheets; 

Elihu Teague; Van Meter; Dave Fulton; John Day 

and sons, Jim and John; Josh King; Green Penington; 
Nick Dawson; Marion Edwards; Kit Simpson. 

Halsell Valley. Eli Hogue; Henry Martin; Joe Henry Martin; 
John Williams ; Elections Halsell. 

Sweetwater. John Waggoner; A. Bishop; Ed Blythe; Dock 
Linclley. 

Upper Catlett. G. B. Pickett; John AV. Hale; Wm. Russell; 
George, Marsh, Garner, Bill, John, Jim and Joe Birdwell; 

Tom Weatherby; Sylvanous Bean; Grundy Kelly; 

Kelly; Jack Moore; Jim Watson; Jim Rodgers; High 
Russell; Perry Mills ; Andy and Joe Marshall ; Tom Robin- 
son; Jim and Tom Scarborough; Archer Fullingim; H. H. 
Wilton; Bat, John and Sam Millholland; John Wilson; 
Lijah Hall; Dan Waggoner; Floj^d Smith; S. M. Gose and 
sons, John, Dave and Coy; Jesse FuHingim; Ely Roberts; 
Frank Roberts; Elijah Roberts. 



36 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

Decatur. Robert Wallace; John Wallace; A. B. Fostei*; Hugh 
Hardwick; Charles Hardwick; Jim Proctor; Wm. Perrin; 
Dan Howell; Elmore Allen ; T. Perrin; Sam Perrin. 

Sandy Creek. Henry and Tom Jennings. 

Catlett and Sweetwater. John Staley; Lycurgus King; John 
Butler ; Dr. William Renshaw. 

Denton Creek. J. B. Brandon; Philo Martin. 

Mouth of Catlett. Samuel L. Terrell; Jacob Kellam; Felix 
Gose. 

Hog-eye Prairie. J. B. Earhart ; Brushy, Dick Reiger. 

Salt Creek. T.E.Camp; Jesse Kmcannon; Dick Holden. 

Hog Branch. George Guinn; Andy Scroggins; Balam Scrog- 

gins ; Moses Followell ; Mackey ; Bob Lewis ; 

Stevens. 

Paradise Prairie and Salt Lake Valley. Toller; John 

Woods; Oliver Reed; Wm. Burress; J. G. Stevens. 

Bridgeport, Dry and Hanf.^ Creek. Alex and Tom Mahaffy, 
Pierce, Harry and Sam Woodward; W. H. Hunt; George 
Isbell; Rufus Booth; John and Straud Babb; John Art er- 
berry; Wm. Anderson. 

Cumby's Prairie. Edward Cumby; Eli Roberts; Gabe Jones; 
Tom Jones ; George Glass ; Chesley Marlett ; Woodford and 
Ben Bennett; Dick Couch. 

Crafton. Elias Eden. 

Garretfs Creek. Jak(> Garrett. 

Audubon. D. D. Shirey; Clabe White: Press Walker; Mose, 
Jim, Carlo and Bab Ball. 

Black Creek. Wade Hudson; Martin and Harmon Cadell; Wil- 
liam Weatherby; Tinville Cecil; Bob and Alex Lowry; 
Jess Eads; Jesse and Warren Gage; Tom Allen; Hugh 
Allen. 



GREGARIOUS TENDENCIES NOTABLE IN SETTLEMENT. 37 

Others. J. C. Carpenter; John and Wiley McDanid; Ira 
Long; Major Holmes; Ceph Woods; Hugh Hardwick; P. 
P. R. Collom; Glen, Billie and R. K. Halsell: Polk 
Mathews; Jim Sensibaugh; Dutch Waggoner; Parson 
Windsor; Cal Mount; Dick Mount; Cal Pritchard; Elias 
Calhoun ; George Stevens ; John Steadman ; Hezekiah Jones ; 
Wash Conley ; Tom and Bill Marshall ; Pleas Cartwright ; 
Anderson, Bill and Wilson Cook. 



GREGARIOUS TENDENCIES NOTABLE IN SETTLEMENT. 
OTHER REMARKS. 

By the time immigration was well established, three well- 
defined conununities, composing the major part of the popula- 
tion, became clearly distinguishable. These were Deep Creek, 
Sand Hill and Upper Catlett Creek. Numerous independent 
locations, however, had been made throughout the county, the 
choice of home sites being largely governed by- the accessibility 
to water and timber. 

The fact that settlements had been made in most of the creek 
valleys leading into the cross-timbers from the prairies, beginning 
with the southern limit of the settled area in the Deep Creek 
community and ending with the northern limit in the region of 
Catlett Creek, points to the conclusion that the habit of well- 
digging had not as yet been formed, and that it was'an industry 
of doubtful utility. Stock water and grass for grazing con- 
stituted the chief essentials of the people as keepers of small 
flocks of sheep and cattle and herds of hogs, and wherever such 
perquisites were found, settlements were made convenient 
thereto. 

Western Wise County does not demand special attention here 
since there seems, at this time, to have been no general tendency 
towards settlement in that region, the only notable exception 
being in the genuinely picturesc^ue example of Col. William H. 
Hunt at Cactus Hill, which was a cattle ranch located on Hunt's 
Creek, and which is to find full description in a succeeding 
chapter. 



38 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

The gregarious spirit of the pioneers brouglit them together 
in groups of habitation, the resultant intimacies of which re- 
flounded in many useful ways. All essentials of a social, relig- 
ious and educational nature were better effected through this 
collective system, which as well afforded mutual exchanges of 
labor and charitable assistance, and mutual protection against 
conunon foes. It was a time of isolation and loneliness with 
strong optimistic natures prerequisite to its forbearance, and the 
intangible factors of faith and hope, springing spotaneously 
from the collective conmumity, came to succor the individual 
weak and faint-hearted. 

The three mentioned conununities were recruited from natural 
•causes. Deep Creek got its adherents from former neighbors 
of Sam Woody in Eastern Texas and Tarrant and Dallas Counties, 
Sand Hill, from the drawing power of blood relationship, this 
community being principally inhabited by a population through- 
otit which a general kinship prevailed. The originals embarked 
from Tennessee and other South Central states and all the 
" kinfolks " which were available to make the change, were 
prevailed on to follow, resulting in Sand Hill's becoming very 
nearly a large and happy family. Catlett Creek congregated 
its forces from the old counti(\s of North and East Texas, princi- 
pally Hopkins, Red River and Lamar, where this frontier 
strangely called " Keechi," had gained a rising reputation for 
richness and fertility. 

Such marks as these can be traced throughout all Wise 
County's population, both of the pioneer and subseriuent periods. 



CHAPTER 11. 
Cactus Hill. 

The late Col. R. M. Collins, an eyewitness to the settlement of 
Wise County has written: " Amongst the advancing squadrons 
of American civihzation, as a rule, the first to get on the outside 
and blaze the way is the man with his herds and flocks; then 
comes the man with the hoe, followed by the Methodist circuit 
rider, and next to him is the politician." From thence on the 
lamented Wise County editor described an early political incident 
in which there was much of a serious and humorous nature. 
We pause to dwell on that phrase which emphasizes the man 
with the flocks and herds as the one who " blazes the way for 
the advancing squadrons of civilization." Referred to Wise 
County, the statement is substantially confirmed in the example 
of Col. W. H. Hunt, who, as one of the very first settlers to seek 
out a location here, brought along his flocks and herds to 
pasture on the free and luxuriant grasses. Col. Hunt found 
Western Wise County better suited to his purpose, and there, 
on the banks of Hunt's Creek he established a most interesting 
and picturesque home and ranch quarters, the descriptive 
details of which, it is hoped, will provide an entertaining chapter 
of this book. The following remarks will be devoted to a de- 
scription of Cactus Hill itself, with character sketches of Col. 
Hunt and members of his family reserved for another place. 

The locality was first occupied by Col. Hunt and family in 
1855 but some time prior to that date he had brought hither a 
large number of cattle and sheep, and left them in care of cow- 
boys in his service. Hunt's Creek is a tributary of the West 
Fork of the Trinity River and the Cactus Hill home was estab- 
lished on it in the vicinity of the point where the Decatur and 
Jacksboro road finds a crossing. The house stood to the right 
of the road, facing south, on a rising prominence which stands 
out above both the creek and the road, and gives it an unob- 
structed view of the country for miles around. 

(39) 



40 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUXTY. 




CO].. W. H. HI XT. 



CACTUS HILL, 



41 



The writer has been enabled to obtain from Mrs. D. J. Gal- 
braith, of Honey Grove, and Mrs. Kate Hunt Craddock, of Ter- 
rell, a daughter of Colonel Hunt, certain comprehensive sketches 
which detail the life and surroundings of this most genuinely 
picturescjue and romantic feature of early Wise County life; in 
fact, more connected information has been vouchsafed on this 
point than attaches to any other phase of the historical matter 
under consideration. Mesdames Craddock and Galbraith's con- 
tributions supplemented by those of living pioneers forms the 
basis of the description of Cactus Hill. 

Possibly the reader is asking at the outset for a brief reference 
to the part Colonel Hunt played in the history of the period in 
cjuestion, and also certain allusions to the prominences of his 
character. He was a man gifted with a genius for leadership; 
he was broad and charitable in his views ; he was hospitable and 
sympathetic and endowed with unusual intelligence; a New 
Yorker by birth and a city-bred man, he was equipped to intro- 
duce direction and system into his personal affairs and the 
affairs of others, which he frequently shouldered. His mission 
in the early history of the county was one of counsel and guid- 
ance; he provided that broad and rugged leadership so essen- 
tial to all the local interests in their undeveloped and formative 
state. He is revered for his hospitable ways at Cactus Hill and 
remembered for the many benefactions which he conferred on 
the people. 

Alluding again to Cactus Hill, it may be said that Mrs. Gal- 
braith visited the scene in the year of 1855, having ridden out 
on horseback from Bonham in company with Colonel Tom 
Bean, the noted Texan, and Miss Belle Cordell, Mrs. Hunt's 
sister. Much of Mrs. Galbraith's description is embodied in 
these statements. She thus indicates the surroundings: 

"We could stand on Cactus Hill and look for miles in every 
direction and see the most beautiful scenery, great high hills 
covered with small live-oak trees and cactus of every variety; 
the tall mesquite grass thrived in luxuriance, and intermingled 
with all these lovely decorations were great white stones and 
countless wild flowers ; there was not a house in sight of Colonel 
Hunt's." 



42 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUXTY. 

In this wild and rugged region sat Cactus Hill, a refined and 
cultivated home. The house was a large log structure with two 
rooms and a hall, with a porch in front and rock-floored kitchen 
and dining room in the rear. The lumber used in the flooring 
and door and window frames was brought by ox-teams from 
Jefferson, in eastern Texas, by James Proctor, and the glass 
panes of the windows were the first introduced into the county. 

The prevailing evidences of culture and taste existed in the 
well-chosen library, in which were to be found the poetical 
works of Byron, Tennyson, Milton and Shakespeare, the latter 
being Colonel Hunt's favorite author. A spindle-legged me- 
lodeon brought from New York by way of New Orleans to Cactus 
Hill, was the first instrument of the kind in the country. A 
tuner often rode out from McKinney to put the melodeon in 
order. Once in the dining room, the guests found themselves 
served from the finest of china, which existed in profusion. 

In the landlord's big desk, which occupied one corner of the 
spacious west room, was kept the postoffice of the neighborhood, 
to which the neighbors came to receive and send mail. A short 
distance from the house a large basement was built undc^r a two- 
roomed structure used for a granary and smoke-house, in which 
the dairy products were kept cool and fresh. Here also was 
kept a constant store of luxuries and supplies from the distant 
markets. Still further to the rear was a large blacksmith shop 
plentifully equipped with tools to which the neighbors repairc^d 
for blacksmithing. 

The corrall was one of the best in the country, made of huge 
logs tightly pinioned with bois d'arc pegs and entered through 
a massive swinging gate. The fences were ten feet high on three 
sides, the fourth being formed by a succession of barns and 
stables. A large "mount" of cow ponies was always on hand, 
besides which, pride was taken in the ownership of a goodly 
number of riding and carriage horses. 

Besides the many cattle, a large flock of sheej) was kept 
constantly recruited to number 3,r)00 on range about the country, 
the annual wool clip from which was transported in large cara- 
vans to Jefferson and sold, the caravans returning laden with 
supplies for the ranch, and also at times bringing back goods 



CACTUS HILL. 



43 



and wares for Howell anti Allen's store, which lay on the route. 
One of the picturesque sights around Cactus Hill was the band 
of cow-boys in the employment of Colonel Hunt and other 
ranchmen of the section. No cattleman or wayfarer in that 




PAPPY dad" a character ABOUT CACTUS HILL. 



region ever found himself independent of the hospitality of this 
household. 

Col. and Mrs. Hunt were both characteristically hospitable, 
social and charitable. The big open hallway at Cactus Hill was 



44 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

indicative of their open-heartetl \vays. Open house ^vas kept in 
those days, and a chance guest stayed a day, a night, a week, 
as it pleased him. Everybody who came their way got the 
"glad hand " on the doorstep, be he friend or stranger. Mrs. 
Hunt was personally very attractive and entertaining, and her 
many efforts to bring hai^piness to her guests are facts of tradi- 
tion. The delicacies and luxuries of her stores were always at 
the command of the sick and needy, and the volumes of the 
library were never too precious to be circulated for general 
reading in the conununity. 

Out of his own resources Col. Hunt built a schoolhouse for 
the use of his neighbor's children, and herein, though not a 
churchman, he organized and taught a Sunday school, the first 
in that part of the county. He also distributed bibles and 
testaments freely among the pt^ojjle, and even among the Indian 
tribes. It may be said that he always treated the Indians 
kindly, which won for him their friendship and esteem and 
eventuated in their calling him the " White Fath(>r." 

The old s(>ttlers recall with [)l(^asure the hap])y social life 
which prevailed at Cactus Hill during its i^rime days. The 
celebratcnl wedding of Miss Belle Cordell, is one of the best 
rememlx'red events of the time. From Mrs. Galbraith we learn 
also that the Decatur lawyers had a habit of riding out to the 
place to spend the days in excursions about the country, and 
the evenings in backgannnon, euchre and other games. 

Meagerness of space allotment comjjels the ending of allusions 
to Cactus Hill at this point. Due expression nuist be given, 
however, to the esteem in which Col. and Mrs. Hunt were held 
by the frontier compatriots, who looked upon them as noble, 
generous chai'acters, and as cheering and stinuilating person- 
alities of a rather sombrous hour. The influence of their benefi- 
cent lives has been transported to the present time. 

Of Cactus Hill, built in the .wilds of nature's wootls and 
l)rairies, it is a])i)r()priate to say that its ai)pealing environment 
generated the g(Miius of poetr}^ in th(> soul of one who went forth 
to sing sweetly of nature and solitude and of the strength arid 
pathos of these. Reference is ma<le to Mrs. Belle Hunt Short- 
ridge, the gifted daughter of Col. and Mrs. Hunt, the first born 



CACTUS HILL. 



45 



white child of Western Wise County, who in mature years at- 
tained wide prominence as a poetess of unusual grace and power. 




-MRS. BKLLK HUNT SHORTKIDGE. 



The poem " Texas " reproduced in the first pages of this volume 
is from her pen, and a photograph and sketch of her life appears 
elsewhere. 



CHAPTER III. 

The Pioneer Store and Merchant. 

The influx of population had now reached the stage where it 
demanded a supply store, and there lived at Old Alton, in 
Denton County, the man who had interpreted the need and was 
on the point of supplying the necessity. His name was Daniel 
Howell, and had been a merchant at the old capital of Denton 
long enough to desire .a change. He was a shrewd man, of a 
cautious and calculative disposition as is illustrated by the in- 
cident about to be described. He wanted to establish a trading 
post within striking distance of the western settlements, the 
tide of immigration towards which had revealed to him that at 
no distant date a county would be organized there and a County 
Seat selected; that his future interests would be materially 
enhanced should his store be located on the spot where the 
new County Seat would be established he remained convinced. 
But how was he to arrive at the exact center of the probable 
future county in the face of the fact that the territory had never 
been traced by a surveyor bent upon rimning county boundary 
limits, was the baffling problem that confronted him. He reason- 
ed that the new county would hr created i)ropoii;ionate to the 
size of those previously formed, and upon this hypothesis he 
sought the Denton terminus of the imaginary land district 
line, which has been described as running through Wise County 
from east to west, dividing th(> land districts of Cooke and 
Denton from each other, which he followed into Wise County 
territory until he had come to wher(> he thought a central linc^ 
running north and south would cross. At this point he decided 
to place the structure for his store. Tradition points to the 
fact that he made further precise calculations as to where the 
north and south line would cross the east and west one, for he 
is known to have located the exact center of the county which, 
in times subsequent, has been dc^fiiiitely located a short distance 
southwest of Decatur. 
(46) 



THE PIONEER STORE AND MERCHANT. 47 

Upon locating the county center in the timber he* paused 
again to reflect, and concluded that the future county seat would 
be built on the prairie as nearly to the center as possible. So 
coming back out of the timber, he had not emerged far when he 
encountered a large spring flowing up out of a ravine, which 
formed ^the eastern boundary of a prominent rise. Hereon he 
decided to place his store-house, a location which made him 
accessible to the settlement trade, placed him near the center 
of the county and near at hand to the large ever-flowing spring. 

If an air line should be drawn in Decatur from the Baptist 
College to the Cotton Oil Mill, the site of Howell's store would 
rest upon it at a point slightly less than half the distance be- 
tween the two institutions. More exactly, if the building re- 
mained intact it would stand a few steps northeast of the resi- 
dence of Rev. W. C. Carver in south Decatur. The spring ex- 
isted still farther east at the base of the hill. 

To this store the early citizens came for those commodities 
which were not raised for consumption on their farms, and also 
to procure their mail, the only postoffice in the territory being 
kept at this place, regular weekly trips being made by carrier 
to Old Alton to bring mail. Crowds congregated there for the 
transaction of such business of a public and private nature as 
demanded attention. In these several ways Howell's Store 
responded to the needs and gained a celebrity which has lasted 
to the present tim(\ 

Coming along from Old Alton with Mr. Howell was a young 
man by the name of Elmore Allen, who acted as clerk in the 
store and who presently assumed an interest in the business; 
upon which the firm name was changed to Howell and Allen, 
remaining so until the partnership was dissolved years after in 
Decatur, where the business was latterly removed. 

The store was sufficient to supply the wants of the people, 
and no other businesses were planted in the neighborhood of 
Howell's, and only two other structures were erected there. 
One of these was a family residence, constructed of logs, which 
Mr. Howell had built just under the south brink of the high hill 
which stands directly south of the original location of the store- 
house. The other was a frame structure sixteen feet square, 



48 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

which Henry Martin, a citizen of the territory, raised a few 
yards west of Howell's store. This house was weatherboarded 
with four-foot hackberry boards cut in the West Fork bottoms, 
and shaved with a drawing-knife. It was roofed with two-foot 
clapboards and floored with cottonwood puncheons. These 
minute details are given because this building is later on to as- 
sume historical prominence in the county. Plowell and Allen's 
business thrived until Taylorsville was established in 1857, to 
which place it was removed. 



CHAPTER IV. 
Land and Pre-emption Claims. 

The strongest magnet which attracts immigration to new 
countries is the availabihty of free lands. From the beginning 
of white man's rule in this state, magnanimous offerings of land 
have been extended with the hope of inducing a flow of immigra- 
tion. Prior to 183G a head right certificate of the first class was 
granted to each permanent settler in the state arriving before 
that time. Such a certificate constituted a title to 4,005 54-100 
acres of land — a gift offering from the state. 

The stream of immigration, however, soon made such ex- 
travagant gifts impossible, and the cjuantities of free domain to 
which settlers were entitled were gradually diminished and the 
price per acre increased. 

The most of the settlements of Wise County were made under 
the law of February 13, 1854, which granted to the actual settler 
160 acres, with provisions that, in each instance, a house must 
be built on the land and occupied for a term of three years, at 
the expiration of which time the land was to be surveyed by the 
county or district surveyor and field notes, accompanied by an 
affidavit of residence for the recjuired time, returned to the gen- 
eral land office at Austin, whereupon a patent would be made 
out, signed by the Governor, and sent to the settler or locator. 

The legislatures were constantly modifying and raising the 
fee charged by the state. First the price was 50 cents per acre; 
finally -11.00. 

Where previous locations had not been made, all the lands of 
the county were subject to entry. All the settler had to do was 
to make his choice, move in, erect a house, and at the end of 
three years survey the lines and make applications for a patent. 
There is reported much trafficking and hawking about of worth- 
less certificates and pre-emption claims during all of the days 
of settlement. Land sharks and victimizers generally did a 
thriving business with new-comers as prey, and there was no end 
to the nefarious practices until the free lands were exhausted. 

(49) 



50 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

Land sales and trades among the citizcnis were made during 
these first days on a basis of a range in price from 50c. to SI. 00 
per acre for improved land with entire sections selling at S300.00. 

During the first years of the settlement of Wise County the 
counties of the state were arranged into land districts for con- 
venience in regulating land matters. Ordinarily a few counties 
composed a district, with the central office located at the most 
convenient point. To these various districts were attached 
the unorganized counties for land purposes, anfl to these the 
latter looked for authorized surveyors and the safeguarding of 
records. Under this system the unorganized territory of Wise 
County fell to the equal jurisdiction of Cooke and Denton 
Counties, the line running centrally through the county from 
east to west. Thus locations in the southern part of Wise 
were legalized and surveyed by the Denton office antl those in 
the north part by the office at Gainsville. The distance of 
these headquarters from Wise made the necessity of applying to 
them, in the multitudinous details of land matters, difficult and 
troublesome, and the settlers here welcomed the clay when by 
organization this county gained jurisdiction over its own land 
affairs. The early surveyors were freighted with many responsi- 
bilities and much labor. 



CHAPTER V. 
The Delaware Indians. 

A circumstance more suggestive perhaps than any other of 
the truly primitive condition of Wise County at the time of its 
settlement, was the discovery here of a band of aboriginees 
peacefully inhabiting its' confines and rarely emerging beyond 
them. What is known of this tribe of Indians. was gained prin- 
cipally from their own revelations and is of a nature so meagre as 
to leave their ancestry and prior history shrouded in mystery. 
Through them it became known that they were a branch of the 
Delaware tribe, but from, whence they came or what land they 
had originally occupied was never learned. 

The band found here numbered about 65 men, women and 
children, and was presided over by two chiefs; an elderly one 
named Jim Ned, and a younger one named Tom Williams. 
These English names they doubtless achieved from the settlers 
themselves. Jim Ned was supreme in command of the tribe, 
Tom Williams being a sub-chief of a division. When the band 
was first discovered Jim Ned had the appearance of a man 
of about fifty years of age, was slightly grey-haired, and of 
much darker complexion than Tom Williams whose shade of 
color was more that of a Mongolian. The tribe lived true to 
their original customs and habits, which were to forage about 
the country in search of game and fish, the most of the time 
united, but occasionally separated into two bands which occupied 
different territories, but pursuing the same ends, hunting and 
fishing. After they had been separated for some time they 
would then reunite and seem thoroughly to enjoy the coming 
together. A district would be occupied until its fish and game 
supply was diminished, and then a removal would occur to 
another section. In this way the Indians hunted over every por- 
tion of the county, but it was observed that their operations 
were being more and more confined to the western part as if 
gradually being pushed out of their wonted haunts by the in- 

(51) 



52 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUXTY. 

coming settlers. Their relations with the sparse settlers were 
at all times of a peac(^able and friendly character, and no criminal 
acts are recordcnl of them, yet in their personal habits thej^ were 
truly barbaric, upon which account no women could visit their 
camps with impunity. The tribe is remembered to have first 
been in camp in the eastern part of the county near Piper's 
Springs, on Catlett Creek, in 1853. Dr. Renshaw found them 
there when he came out to make his land locations in that 3^ear. 
From Piper's Springs they removed to the vicinity of Sand Hill, 
and established their village near the farm of Lem Cartwright. 
Next, they moved and camped in what is now the Mus(^ neighbor- 
hood and from thence on their movements were towards the 
west with stoppings in Jennings' Valley, on Sandy Creek, and 
Martin's Valley on the AVest Fork. Their last camp is thought 
to have been near the Jim Ned Springs, in Jack Count}', from 
which place they were removed by United States soldiers and 
confined on the reservation at Ft. Belknap. 

In Wise County the chiefs mingled freely with the settlers 
and eagerly partook of the supplies of tobacco, food and fabrics 
that were given them. They also exchanged hides and furs, 
beads and moccasins with the settlers, receiving such articles 
of use and others of frivolous value as they needed or admired. 
Horse trading was also one of their chief accomplishments, and 
a herd of ponies was constantly kept to enable them to indulge 
in the practice. 

Their living abodes were constructed of crossed upright poles, 
over which blankets were thrown for protection. The scjuaw 
members did all the manual labor about the camp, building the 
fires, cooking the food, dressing the skins and making the 
moccasins which were to be sold or traded. 

The establishment of Howell's Store had the effect of (juicken- 
ing the endeavors of the tribe at providing hides and furs for 
sale and exchange. Mr. Howell brought large supplies of 
gaudily colored fabrics and shining trinkets which appealed to 
the Indian eye and (piickened their endeavors to secure them. 
They came to the little store to trade, and their presence added 
that touch of color to the picturesque scene which rendered it 
typically frontier in aspect. 



THE DELAWARE INDIANS. 53 

In coming to market, they rotle single-file with the bucks in 
the lead and the squaws behind, and if strangers were met they 
grunted an austere "how," their interpretation of the English 
''howdy." Upon arriving, all dismounted, the squaws sat flat 
on the ground and the bucks did the trading. They bought 
brown sugar, tobacco, whiskey, blankets and gaudy ginghams 
and calicoes. They always brought along buckskin robes, furs 
and moccasins to trade to the store-keepers and to the settlers. 

They were skilled at many games and experts at riding, and 
shot the arrow with such sureness of aim as to astonish the 
natives. Shooting matches, foot- and horse-racing always fol- 
lowed their visits to town. Small coins in forked sticks were 
put up at distances and the Indians won them by striking with 
the arrow. Their fleet foot-runners were rarely outdistanced, 
and their racing ponies were trained to astonishing speed. 

In the tribe was a small boy, nearly white of complexion, 
whose presence there was a constant source of mystery and sus- 
picion to the settlers, but with a bow and arrow he was a deadly 
shot, rarely failing at any target. 

The tribe developed an iniquitous habit ; they would come to 
Howell's store, thoroughly intoxicate themselves with whiskey, 
and then retire to the neighboring hills, cover themselves with 
blankets and lie clown to let the sun absorb the spirits from their 
bodies by the sweating process. Sometimes they would lie in 
the blazing sun for two days at a time. 

In 1859 this friendly tribe of Dela wares was removed to Ft. 
Belknap, to secure them against the murderous designs of the 
wild tribes, whose enmity had been aroused because of the 
Delawares' peaceable relations with the whites. Finally they 
were caught unprotected by an atrocious band of Comanches 
and exterminated. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Church and School Beginnings — Sand Hill As a Center — 
"Old Savayback." 

The noig"hboi'hoo(l a few miles south of Decatur in which Sand 
Hill Church and camp-grounds are located, has been a center of 
religious and educational activity since the earliest history of 
the county. During the whole of the preliminary period, a quar- 
ter of a century of pioneerism, the religious and educational 
factors antl forces at Sand Hill dominated these sentinients in 
the county. Thus this ground became a mecca where all re- 
sorted for woi'ship and for etlucational purposes, and as a 
stronghold for piety, sanctified to the demands of religion and 
education, has left the seal of its imj^ress for moral (>levation 
clearly stamped on the body politic of the county. 

Its proximity to the surrounding settlements contributed to 
its origin. The i)resent location of the church is not the original 
one. The church was organized in the home of Jim Brooks, an 
early citizen to whom reference has been made. In the sum- 
mer of 1854 the following persons met at Mr. Brooks' to organize 
the first church body of the territory: Rev. W. H. H. Bradford, 
Jim Brooks, Thomas Cogdell, Charles Browder, Benjamin Mon- 
roe, Dr. Standifer, Lemuel Cartwright and Rev. John Roe. 

Rev. Bradford, connnonly called ''Buck," officiated at this 
early religious ceremony, ordaining and dedicating the church 
to the doctrines of Wesley, and became its first pastor. Thus 
the Methodists were the first to unfurl the banner of the Cross 
in ^Mse County. 

Situated a short distance from Mr. Brooks' home stood a 
large sand hill from 'neath which a large spring issued, from 
which natural formation the church took its name — Sand Hill. 
In the fall of the same year a brush arbor meeting was held east 
and across the creek from the present Sand Hill camp-grounds, 
approximate to the home of Lem Cartwright. In 1855 the 
present Sand Hill communitv had been gejierallv occupied, and 
(54) 



OLD SWAYBACK. 55 

its convenient center became the natural assembling point of 
the people for miles in all directions. That center was the 
home of Lem Cartwright above mentioned, and to this home the 
church was moved in the same year from its original location 
at Mr. Brooks', some miles to the south. Soon afterward, Mr. 
Cartwright vacated his home, surrendering it to the people for 
a church, and built a new house on the hill-ridge to the east. 

"OLD SWAYBACK." 

This was the inception of "Old Swabyack," a building and a 
church revered in the memory of Wise County pioneers, and the 
scene of the earliest manifestations of religious enthusiasm and 
pious enterprise. 

"Old Swayback" stood on the west slant of the prairie hill 
almost directly east of the present Sand Hill church, and was 
constructed of home-made boards for covering and green slabs 
for framing. A long ridge-pole ran along the center of the gable 
roof as the upper support of the roof boards. Finally the ridge- 
pole sagged downward at the center, carrying the roof along and 
leaving the two ends projecting upward, from which peculiar 
defect the church got its name — "Swayback," affectionately re- 
ferred to now as "Old Swayback." 

By 1856 the increased citizenshii) demandotl more connnodi- 
ous church quarters and a meeting of all denominations was 
held at "Swayback" to confer upon the matter. The conclu- 
sion to build a new church was arrived at and a committee ap- 
pointed to locate a place for same, which was done at a spot 
near the one on which the present church now stands. The 
groves and contiguous spring were deciding factors in locating 
thr church, as was also a gift of the land by W. A. Kjng. Here 
the first building for religious purposes in the county was erected 
— a log structure twenty feet square with a dirt floor, built by 
the general help of the community. 

Alternate Sunday services were held in it by the different 
denominations, though it is not reported that any other church 
organizations occurred there. Among the early ministers who 
preached here were: Rev. W. H. H. Bradford, Methodist; John 



56 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

Roe, Methodist; Rev. J. T. Willis, Baptist; Parson Windsor, 
Methodist; Rev. Gregory, Cumberland; Wm. Bates, Methodist; 
Rev. Aikens, Presbyterian; and Rev. Withom. 

The custom of holding annual brush arbor camp-meetings was 
then begun and has been conducted as a time-honored practice 
to this day. 

BAPTIST CHURCH ORGANIZED. 

The Baptist Church holds ground with the Methodist as a 
pioneer church organization, and some of the earliest and most 
devout preachers were of that denomination. 

The organization took place in the fall of 18.5() in the home 
of Samuel Perrin, who lived about a mile southwest of the 
present Decatur. Rev. J. T. Willis, of Denton Creek, officiated 
at the exercises. Colonel G. B. Pickett being one of the witnesses. 
Some time after this a small log school house was built by Wm. 

and Samuel Perrin, Rich. Beck and Millholland, near 

where the Decatur and Boyd road crosses the Beck or Brady 
Branch, and to this place the church was moved and services 
afterwards held. 

CHURCH ON CATLETT CREEK. 

The above were the two early enterprises, the third occuring 
in the upper Catlett Creek community north of Decatur, which 
had as yet been without church advantages except those afforded 
by the Sand Hill and the Baptist church. But upon these latter 
the old settlers attended faithfully. It may be stated, parenthet- 
ically, that a serious and earnest piety tlistinguished the old set- 
tlers as a body. It was an hour of loneliness and isolation amidst 
the danger of which the people recognized the imminent need of 
divine assistance and guidance, hence their faithful journeyings 
to the altars for support and consolation. The strength and 
drawing powei- of Sand Hill lay in its ability to supply that 
meed of Christian nourishment demanded by the pioneers in their 
struggle with life. In this way the old shrine at Sand Hill be- 
came one at which all gathered for sup))lication and to receive 
the outpourings of spiritual blessings; the holy fount from 



SCHOOL BEGINNINGS. 57 

which gushed the waters of life bathed away the general fears 
and soothed the aching hearts. Small wonder is it that Sand 
Hill is revered in memory and affection, for there falling foot- 
steps and drooping spirits have been strengthened and dull eyes 
brightened, and through the lowering clouds of grief and trouble, 
have been made to shine the brightening rays of comfort, hope 
and cheer, presaging a happier to-morrow and a joyous future — 
the becjueathings of an all-wise and kindly Father. 

The Catlett Creek settlement had their religious beginnings 
in a service held in the home of Capt. John W. Hale, in the fall 
of either of the years of 1855 or 56. Rev.Stubblefield,a Method- 
ist missionary to Sand Hill, was in charge. The following year 
a two days' brush arbor meeting was held in the timber mid- 
way between the homes of Col. G. B. Pickett and Capt. Hale, 
and continued there for many summers. Church services were 
continued in Capt. Hale's home during the winter for some time. 
No church house was built in the community before the war, and 
during that trying period the people went to Decatur to worship, 
this upon the advice of Rev. Bellamy who had moved into the 
county. 

Tradition points to Gage's school house, which would now stand 
in the vicinity of Sycamore, as the first church and schoolhouse 
built north of Sand Hill and Decatur. This was a union church, 
built near the home of Jerry Gage, from whom it took its name. 
In about 1870 the Gose schoolhouse and church was erected 
on upper Catlett i)roper, at a point north of Decatur, in the 
immediate vicinity of Major S. M. Gose's home, which furnished 
school and church facilities for many years 

Reference has been made to the building of a schoolhouse and 
organizing of a Sunday school in the western part of the county 
by Col. Hunt. This perhaps was the lone example of religious 
and educational enterprise in that section for no other is reported 
for the periotl. The next activity occurs at Decatur, which will 
be described in another place. 

SCHOOL BEGINNINGS. 

The pioneers very early displayed a recognition of the value 
of education. The first little school is reported to have been 



58 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

started a year before the territory brought itself iimler tlie 
restraints of organized local government. The first school \vas 
taught by Eli Hoag in the summer of 1855, but the exact location 
is in controversy. 

The school was conducted either at " Old Sway back " church 
or in the house of ^^^ S. Hoag, a brother of Eli Hoag, the jiioneer 
teacher. The latter dwelling stood on the banks of Walnut 
Creek, a few miles south of Decatur, and was afterwards 
torn down and moved to Decatur. This first school was 
sparsely attended and lasted only for a short season. A 
second and more successful term was conducted l)y Mr. 
Bleffins in the summer of 185G, the year of organization, 
in the little log school house described as having been located 
on Beck or Brady Branch, near the point of the Boyd and 
Decatur road crossing, which place is about half a mile south- 
east of the Baptist College in Decatur. Professor BleflEins was 
a young and educated Mrginia gentleman who had sought this 
mild climate in pursuit of health, and was highly equipped for 
the duties of teaching. A list of a few of the pupils is provided, 
to-wit: — The children of the Beck family and the following 
chiklren of the two Perriii families: Jim, Mary, Will, Sabina, 
Sallie, Mandy, Mahalie and William. AVilliam and Susan Hunt, 
Charlie and Clabe Cates, Sam, Bartholomew and Simon Mill- 
hoUand, John, Ben and Nannie Howel. 

The third of the pioneer schools was taught in the fall and 
winter of 185(), in the church house at Sand Hill, then but 
recently completed. Professor Wm. Fletcher, another educated 
Mrginian, who had come out in search of health, conducted this 
school in a highly efficient manner. Among the pupils who 
attendetl here were Joe, Lee, Jim, Fronie and Phoebe Crutch- 
field, the Beck children, the Pleas Byrant children, Clabe and 
Charlie Cates, Mary and Barnett Pauley, Robert M. Collins, 
John and Addie Newman, Cisely Ann, Thomas, Will, George 
and Glenn Halsell, and the Cartwright boys. 

J. D. White, one of the living pioneers, succeeded as teacher of 
this school in 1857. Pupils attended Mr. White's two terms 
fi'om both \^'ise and Denton Counties, and some of them in 
after life attained to position and prominence, noted as follows: 



SCHOOL BEGINNINGS.' 59 

Rev. Z. B. Carroll, Baptist minister: Rev. Lafayette Bullard, 
Presbyterian divine; Bantield Cogdell, a successful citizen of 
Hill County; Thomas Cogdell, a prominent banker of Grand- 
bury, Hood County; T. S. Cogdell, a prominent farmer of Hood 
County, and R. M. Collins, who gained wide })rominence as 
writer and editor. 

Successful schools are also reported from Deep Creek and 
Prairie Point. In 1859 or 60, the third Virginian who was to 
come to Wise County for the restorative climate began a school 
on Deep Creek, this teacher being Robert Walker. The school 
was conducted successfully for a number of years, and almost all 
the children of the Deep Creek community had their educational 
beginnings there. Among them are mentioned ; Brice and John 
Mann, Laura and Jim Young, AVill Drew, Joe and Betty Woody, 
Ripley, Julia and Bettie Standfiekl, Jim Brooks, Will Holmes, 
Lawrence, Jr., Henry, Mary, Frank, and William Ward, Jim, 
Martha, Tom, Jess, Emma, John and Pink Boyd, Jim, Charles and 
George Reed, Frank and Marcellus Broadstreet, Jim Foster, 
Cephus Woods, Jess Carpenter, Mary, Emma, Ella, Annie and 
John Holmes, Alfred and William Manning, Jack, Dennis, Mary 
and Bettie Paschall, AVillis Millholland, Mary and Micajah 
Britt, Sam Woody, Jr., the Cogdell children, Jasper Armstrong, 
Wm. Shoemaker, Jess, Jim and Chesly Walker, Mary, Jane and 
Jim Paschall, John and Mart Houston, Emma and Tom Crews, 
Francis Cherry and Seg Bradford. 

The Prairie Point School was taught by John S. Morris, and 
continued with success for a number of years. The schools in 
the north part of the settlements were not so numerous nor so 
well attended, due to th(^ sparser population. A school is re- 
ported to have been taught at a very early date by a Mr. Rod- 
man, near where the New South Church now stands, and later 
Benjamin Shrews taught there. Another school is reported 
from the neighborhood where the Gose school was afterwards 
built, with Joe Wilson as teacher. These schools furnished* 
faciUties for the children of Colonel Pickett, J. D. AVhite, J. W. 
Hale and others of that community. The only school in the 
western part of the county was located near Colonel Hunt's 
ranch hous(% and Mrs. Salmon is said to have been the first per- 
son to teach there. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Organization of the County. 

Rapid passage is now being made over that ix'riod which 
Colonel Collins has describetl as a time "when every fellow was 
a law unto himself," the beginning of the end of which reign 
came with the conclusion of the people "to organize into 
a body politic and get themselves in shape to sue, to be sued 
and to contract debts." The territory had now been sparsely 
occupied for two years, and a general desire for local govern- 
ment became manifest. Such a desire was i:)recii)itated from 
numerous causes, the chief one being the existing need of civil 
measures as safeguards to property, and protection to person; 
home rule over land matters was a secoml desideratum: Gains- 
ville and Denton still exercised sovereignty over land matters, 
including surveys and filings, and these towns were too far away 
to give convenient service. The total j^opulation was not large, 
yet of sufficient numbers to justify local government. The 
original connnunities had filled up and forced the overflow to 
find habitations elsewhere about the county. All the choice 
locations, from Ben Haney'son the south, to Pickett's and Hale's 
on the north, were pre-empted; there were colonies on Oliver 
and Hunt's Creek, and Jim Proctor lived near the future Decatur; 
Howell and Allen's remained the only trading post. 

No advancements toward settled agriculture had been made, 
and none would follow until touched by the developing power of 
transportation and marketing facilities. The man with herds 
and flocks remained supreme in the land. Th(> country re- 
mained in its crude and primary condition; no roads ran any- 
where and no bridges crossed any creeks. Under these contli- 
tions the territory was ripe for those measures of organization 
which would usher in a concentrated effort toward progress and 
development in all lines and intlustries. At this juncture there 
appeared a man, a- citizen of the county, who grasped the helm 
of state and guided it on to the successful culmination of its 
(60) 



ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY. 61 

hopes. This man was Absalom Bishop, a native of South Caro- 
hna, but who came to this territory from Hopkins County, 
Texas, in 1855, and settled on Sweetwater Creek, east from De- 
catur about foiu' miles. The organization movement found in 
Colonel Bishop its prime agitator and supporter, the idea doubt- 
less having originated with him. The writer has attempted 
elsewhere to do justice in a biographical sketch to this many- 
sided man, but is frank to confess that the picture there drawn 




COL. BISHOP. 

is dim and hazy to that which nature stores in th(> imagination 
but denies the power to express. 

With an inner conception he is seen in bright and livid colors, 
but not to be exteriorly delineated by the weak hand which at 
present wields the pen. Every phase of life of the pioneer period 
felt the guiding impetus of this one man, and if to any is to be 



62 PIOXEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

accorded the honor of being the Father of Wise County, that 
(Ustinction falls righteously to the palm of Col. Absalom Bishop. 

In accordance with the provisions of the law governing exterior 
territory, the territory of Wise County still remained. attached 
to the Counties of Cook and Denton in the manner heretofore 
described. Now, upon the intervention of the citizens of this 
territory, and in further accordance with the provisions regulat- 
ing the organization of new counties, it became incumbent upon 
the Chief Justice (County Judge) of Cook County to perfect the 
organization of the territory under question into Wise County. 

At this juncture in these annals due reference must be made 
to certain contradictory statements which the writer has en- 
countered in respect to which one of the counties of Denton 
and Cook, had control of the measures of organization by virtue 
of which Wise County became an organized county. There are 
two contentions in favor of either view. Denton County is 
favored by special mentioning in the creating act soon to be 
(juoted, and also by one of the living pioneers who claims that 
the County Court of Denton County is responsible for the 
organization of Wise County. On the other hand, the em])hatic 
assertion of Mr. Charles D. Cates, is to the effect that Wise 
County was organized under the authority of, and by the officers 
of, Cook County. Mr. Cates states that he distinctly remembers 
the exchange of visits and transactions that occurred between 
Col. Bishop and the other promoters of the movement here, and 
the officers of Cook County. As clerk imCol. Bishop's store, Mr. 
Cates was closely associated with the former which justifies his 
claim to knowledge of Bishop's actions. This view also accords 
with the provisions of the general statute which, applied to this 
case, made it the duty of Cook County to prej)are that part of 
her which had api)lied for organization. But there is no disposi- 
tion on the part of the writer to arl)itrate this controversy. 

The prei)arations necessary to organization were of two kinds: 
first, a creating act must be secured fi'om the legislature, which 
act defined the boundaries and authorized the action; .><ec<)ndly, 
the territory defined in the act must be divided into convenient 
precincts for the election of Justices of the Peace and Constables; 
voting places in each- ])r('cinc( whei'c elections shall be held nuist 



FIRST P^LECTION AND REMARKS. 63 

be appointod; elections nuist be cleclaretl one month ahead of 

the date and presiding officers appointed. The first three clauses 

of the Creating Act approved by the legislature, January 23, \y^ 

1850, are here quoted: 

'' Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of 
Texas, that the territory embraced within the following limits, 
to-wit: Beginning at the southwest corner of Denton County, 
thence north with the west boundary line of said county thirty 
miles, thence west thirty miles, thence south thirty miles, east to 
place of beginning, shall comprise the County of Wise. 

" Sec. 2. That it shall be, and is hereby made the duty of the 
Chief Justice of Denton County, to organize the said County of 
Wise on the first Monday of May next, by ordering an election 
for county officers, and conducting same in all respects in con- 
formity to law. 

" Sec. 3. That so soon as the said County of Wise has been 
organized as aforesaid, and the officers of same ciualified accord- 
ing to law, they shall enter upon the discharge of their respective 
offices ; and all courts in and for said county shall be held at the 
Store House of Daniel Howell, until the county seat of said 
county shall be permanently located by the citizens thereof." 

The passage of this act was doubtlessly secured by the repre- 
sentative in the legislature from Cook County. It is affirmed 
with positiveness that Col. Bishop selected the name which the 
county should bear, upon which grounds it is assumed that the 
name chosen was revealed to the introducer of the above act 
looking to its being embodied in the enacting clauses. 

The name Wise was take-n from that of Honorable Henry A. 
Wise, of Virginia, a patriot and statesman of the early and 
middle portions of the last century, to whom a sketch is else- 
where devoted. 

Thus, by virtue of an act of the Legislature of January, 1856, 
this heretofore territory became officially recognized as an 
organized county. 

FIRST ELECTION AND REMARKS. 

\\\ accordance with the command of the creating clause, the 
election was held on the first Monday in May in 185(), with 



64 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



Howell's Store as the chief \-oting box. Colonel Bishop was in- 
fluential in naming the candidates, and also announced himself 
for the office of C-ounty Clerk. His motive for taking a hand 
in the county's initial experience in politics was to perfect some 
remaining policies held in reserve. The first Chief Justice, Wm. 
S. Gates, was especially friendly to Bishop and his designs. 




GATES FAMILY GROUP. 

Judge W. S. Gates (Wise County First Chief of .lust ice; on Extreme Left; 
Brawley Gates in Center. 



The following were elected as Wise County's first set of county 
officials : 

« Wilfiam S. Gates, originally from North Carolina, Chief Jus- 
tice. 

Absalom Bishop, originally from South Carolina, County Clerk. 

Granger Salmon, originally from New York, District Clerk. 

John W. Hale, originally from Tennessee, Sheriff. 

Robert C. Mount, originally from Tennessee, Assessor and Col- 
lector. 

John T. Waggoner, originally from Missouri, Treasurer. 

B, B. Haney, George Birdwell, Samuel L. Terrell and J. C. 
Kincannon, County Commissioners. 

Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 1, James Roberts. 



FIRST ELECTION AND REMARKS. 65 

Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 1, B. P. Earp. 

Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 2, James Davis. 

Justice of the Peace, Precinct No, 2, F. M. Holden. 

Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 3, S. Bean. 

Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 3, L. S. King. 

Justice of the Peace, Precinct No, 4, S. L. Terrell. 

Two justices were elected in each precinct, this office in that 
day being of paramount importance. Samuel L. Terrell, the 
forbear of that prominent family in Wise County, was elected 
to two portfolios in the first government. 

Chief Justice Gates, a clear-headed, practical farmer, lived at 
Aurora; John W. Hale was a trusted citizen of Catlett Creek, 
as was also John T. Waggoner; R. C. Mount was a staunch 
citizen, and Granger Salmon was endowed with shrewdness and 
enterprise. 

The next year, 1857, Colonel Bishop was elected as flotorial 
representative in the legislature from Wise, Denton, Collin, 
Cooke and Montague Counties, and upon resigning the clerk's 
office, W. W. Brady was elected to fill out the term. A spirited 
political contest was waging at the time of Bishop's resignation 
from the county office. The contest for the location of the 
county seat had come up, and Colonel Bishop had taken a fore- 
most part in it by championing the site whereon Decatur now 
stands. This aroused against him the opposition of the cham- 
pions of other places, and when Mr. Brady announced himself as 
the Bishop candidate for the unexpired term of the clerk's office, 
the remaining factions endorsed the race of Sam Woodward, of 
Bridgeport, and a vigorous fight ensued. Mr. Brady was elected 
and took office August 3, 1857. 

The Chief Justice's office in those days was synonymous with 
that of the County Judge of the present time, with the excep- 
tion that no court functions were attached to it. All minor 
matters of litigation were adjudicated by the Justices of the 
Peace, and those of weightier degrees of importance were re- 
ferred to the District Court, of which two sessions a year were 
held. The title of Chief Justice appears to have been discarded 
in 1876, when the Hon. J. W. Patterson was elected to the office 
of County Judge. 



66 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUXTY. 



The Sixteenth Judicial District was created by the legislature 
in 1855, and composed of Wise, Collin, Graj-son, Cooke, Denton, 
Tarrant, Johnson, Ellis, Parker and Dallas Counties. Nat M. 
Burford, of Dallas, was appointed to the judgship, and John C. 
McCoy, also of Dallas, was appointed District Attorney. This 
court held sessions in Wise County for a week each in March and 
September. 

In 1860 Wise was detached from the Sixteenth District and 
placed in the newly organized Twentieth, and still later put in 
the Seventh. Previous to her organization, and while she re- 
mained a part of Cooke County, Wise was in the Fourth Sena- 
torial District, composed of Collin, Grayson, Cooke, Denton and 
Kaufman Counties, and in the Seventh Representative, com- 
posed of Denton, Collin and Cooke Counties. 

The following list comprises the officers and members of the 
succeeding county administrations, beginning with the second 
set, elected in 1858, and ending with the suspensions which oc- 
curred in 1865 as a result of the downfall of the Confederacy. 



1858 
1860 
1862 
1864 
1865 



CHIEF JUSTICE. 



Wm. S. Gates 
George Isbell 
F. E. Taylor 
Lawrence Ward, Sr. 
Daniel Howell 



COUNTY CLERK. DISTRICT CLERK.! TREASURER. 

I i 



W. W. Brady 
W. W. Brady 
W. W. Brady 
John W. Moore 
John W. Moore 



iThos. Lester 
A. B. Foster James C. Rucker 

J. V. Crutchfield 
A. B. Foster 'j. W. Knight 
A. B. Foster 'j. W. Knight 



YEAR. 


TAX ASSESSOR AND 
COLLECTOR. 


SHERIFF. 


SURVEYOR. CORONER. 


1858 


R. C. Mount 


Benj. P. Earp 


John W. Hale Sam'l J. Beck 


1860 


J. D. White 


Robt. G. Gates 


John W. Hale Lein Cartwright 


1862 


J. D. White 


Robt. G. Gates < Sam'l L. Terrell 




1864 


J. V. Crutchfield 


G. B. S. Crews Sam'l L. Terrell 




1865 


J. V. Crutchfield 


G. B. S. Crews Sam'l L. Terrell 





FIRST I'^LECTION AND REMARKS. 



67 



Year 1858. 
Commissioners. 
P. B. Bryan. Jos. H. Martin. 

R. M. Birdwell. John G. Boyd. 

Justices of Peace. 
David C. Gates. L. E. Camp. 

James Scarborough. Jacob Garrett. 

L. S. King. John Morris. 

Pearce Wootlward. James R. Wheeler. 

M. J. Britian. P. P. R. Collom. 

Year 1860. 
Commissioners. 
J. H. Martin. N. J. Vaughn. 

John Mann. B. B. Haney. 

P. B. Bryan. W. H. Shoemaker, 

Justices of Peace. 

Henry Ward. 
M. F. Prewett. 
J; S. Morris. 
J. D. Robinson. 
John McCulloch. 



James Scarborough. 
Thos. Stuart. 
Robt. Brody. 
C. B. Ball. 
Pearce Woodward. 
J. H. Walker. 



J. H. Walker. 
W. H. Langston. 

S. M. Gose. 
T. D. Robinson. 
J. W. Moore. 
Jas. A. Watson. 
M. P. Pruett. 
P. P. R. Collom. 
J. J. Crawford. 
J. F. Morris. 



Year 1862. 
Commissioners. 

J. G. Boyd. 
J. Holden. 

Justices of Peace. 

H. E. Stevens. 
Pearce Woodward. 
A. M. Birdwell. 
C. B. Ball. 
W. F. Murray. 
Sam Foster. 
John Brown. 



68 pioneer history of wlf^e county. 

Year 18()4. 

Coiumissioners. 

Wilson Cook. L. S. King. 

Pearce Wood ward. Nathan Huff. 

Justices of Peace. 

E. C. Jonos. Jerome Smith. 

Wm. Rice. M. F. Prewett. 

H. E. Stevens. Shepard Neel. 

The following counties were created the same year with Wise 
County. Traced on the map they mark the frontier line at that 
time: Atascosa, Bandera, Commanche, Erath, Kerr, Kinney, 
Young, Lampassas, Llano, Sansaba, Live Oak, Maverick, 
Uvalde. 

The task of surveying and defining the county bountlary 
limits fell to the new County administration, and L. E. Camp, 
Deputy Surveyor of the Denton Land District, was employed 
to do the work, which was accomplished in due time, and the 
field notes filed for record in the Clerk's office. On May 23 and 
24, the center of the county was located and designated as 
follows: "A black-jack marked C. W. C. 15 M," which point 
places Decatur one mile north and three miles east of it. 

On Feb. 24, 1857, the W^ise County school lands were located 
by William Cloud, Deputy Surveyor of the Cooke County Land 
District, in Haskell County. This was a body of land covering 
four leagues. The state and county tax at that time was .5()c. 
on the $100.00 valuation. 



CHAPTER MIL 

County-Seat Contest — County-Seat Located — Called 
Taylorsville. 

decatur the evolution of a dream and a hard fight. 

A half a' century ago this spring (1907), upreared upon the 
spot where Wise County's superb temple of justice now stands, 
was a strange and wierd and yet a beautiful sight. Piercing the 
blue sky was a tall, slender pole, from the top of which flut- 
tered the stars and stripes, the emblem and the glory of the nation. 
Beneath it and around it was silence and solitude. The tall, 
waving, undipped and untrodden grass spread out in every 
direction, and gay flowers nodded and swayed in the breezes. 
Frightened to their coverts by so strange a sight, the timid deer 
and antelope peered forth furtively, and from their neighbor- 
ing dens and seclusions the wolves wailed a melanchloy saluta- 
tion. No human habitation was near to catch the whispings 
of the flag as these were borne out on the breezes, and no human 
being was present to explain the flag's mysterious presence. 
But that it was representative of an achievement and symbolical 
of the victory of a redoutable man, will be revealed in the fol- 
lowing passages. 

The incident is related to the efforts to locate the county 
seat, which followed as a necessary sec^uence to the organiza- 
tion of the county, and made mandatory by the Creating Act, 
the first three clauses of which, pertaining to the measures of 
organization, have been quoted. The remaining three clauses, 
outlining the methods to be followed in locating the county- 
seat, are here inserted, and read as follows: 

"Section 4. — That so soon as the county shall have been or- 
ganized as aforesaid, it shall be the duty of the Chief Justice 
and at least two of the County Commissioners, to select two or 
more places within five miles of the center of said county, to be 
run for the county-seat of the said county, having due reference 
to donations that may be offered. 

(6i)) 



70 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

"Section 5. — That it shall be the duty of the Chief Justice to 
order an election to be held, giving at least fifteen days' notice 
thereof, for the election of the seat of justice of said count}', the 
name of which shall be Taylorsville. 

"Section 6. — That a majority of the votes polled shall de- 
termine the location, and in the event that no place receives such 
a majority in the first election, the Chief Justice shall order a 
new election, putting in nomination the two places -having re- 
ceived the highest number of votes in the first election, and the 
place which may receive the highest number of votes in the 
second election shall be the lawful county-seat of .said county. 
And that this act shall take effect from and after its passage." 

When the cjuestion came up for settlement. Colonel Bishop 
was the first in the field with a preconceived and finely wrought 
plan to have the eminence whereon Decatur now stands se- 
lected as the site for the county capital. But before entering 
upon a description of this spectacular incident in the early life 
of the county, certain preliminary remarks must be addressed 
to the elucidation of an important action taken by Bishop at a 
time prior to the occasion when the county seat question arose 
for settlement. • Also it is deemed pertinent to enquire into 
the motives that animated Bishop in his dealing with the ques- 
tion. 

Looking back over the incidents of this campaign, it stands 
out luminously clear that Bishop was prompted by an over- 
powering passion to have the county capital located on the hill- 
top whereon the town of Decatur now stands. The idea of a 
beautiful town, built at this point, seems to have taken pos- 
session of his mind and become a besieging dream. That the 
idea or the dream had its birth long ])rior to the date when the 
county seat problem was definitely settled is indicated- by the 
following circumstance. 

The circumstance referred to is connected with the pre-emp- 
tion claim which was laitl over the soil of the present site of Deca- 
tur, by James Proctor, in 1854, and the designs he had in view 
in making his location at this particular point. It is said that 
Colonel Bishop was behind Proctor as the advising factor in 
deciding him to locate where he did, and that Bishop explained 



COUNTY SEAT CONTEST. 71 

to Proctor his preconceived plans for the selection of his (Proc- 
tor's) proposed pre-emption as the future site for the county 
seat town. Proctor's reward was to be an enhancement of the 
value of his property, as a result of the location of the town 
upon it, but it was agreed that Proctor was to donate sixty 
acres to the county for the town site. 

These preliminary steps were taken by the far-sighted and 
shrewd Bishop in 1854, three years prior to the contest which 
came up in 1857, and found Bishop many moves ahead of the 
other contestants in the race. 

The race was started off by half-a-dozen candidate places, all 
strongly backed by zealous supporters, which is conclusive that 
no locality possessed sufficient natural attraction to win the 
general regard. 

Some of these locations are described as follows: Howell 
and Allen's Store vicinity, Isbell Springs, a locality about 
one and a half miles northwest of Decatur, in the neighbor- 
hood of Mrs. Henry Greathouse's farm; the Finley place, known 
now as the Jess Carpenter place, which lies east, on the out- 
skirts of Decatur. The exact geographical center of the county 
was also put forward. 

But the strongest opposition encountered by Bishop in his 
fight for the hill on which he had set his heart came from the 
Deep Creek settlement, whose people, reinforced by those of 
Halsell Valley and surrounding country, chose a location in 
Halsell ^^alley and prosecuted a vigorous and earnest cam- 
paign in its favor. This location lies a mile or so south of 
Decatur in the vicinity of the old Halsell farm. 

The fight was now on and is described as being of a truly bitter 
and partisan nature, and clings in the minds of the pioneers as 
a stirring and dramatic occurrence, replete with animosity and 
antagonism, and all those violent passions which accrue to a 
contest wherein rugged, elemental men are placed in opposition 
to each other. 

Chief among the backers of the Halsell Valley site were Sam 
Woody and Ben Crews, from the last of whom the contest was 
to derive a section of its historical name, the remainder spring- 
ing from that of Colonel Bishop, eventuating in the contest be- 



72 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

coming known as the ''Bishop-Crews County Seat Contest," its 
current designation in the minds of the pioneers. 

Two opposing factions developed from this fight which made 
their influence felt in all the political battles of the remaining 
years of the pioneer period. 

The contest now narrowed down to a struggle between the 
north and south parts of the county, with the Hopkins 
County delegation supporting Bishop on the one hand, and the 
citizens of Deep Creek and contiguous settlements supporting 
Halsell \'alley on the other. 

Finally the vote was cast, and so divided was it that the 
choice fell, by chance, and unexpectedly, to one of the weaker 
candidates, with Bishop's hill-to}) a close second. But for- 
timately for the latter and those who assisted him, certain ir- 
regularities were discovered in one of the voting boxes, re- 
sulting in its being thrown out, and leaving the choice to fall 
victoriously into the hands of Bishop, whereupon, to celebrate 
his achievement, he raised the stars and stripes to flutter gaily 
over the soil to which he had anchoretl his hoi:)es and dedicated 
a long and hotly contested battle. 

Numerous attempts followed to change the decision of the 
election, but Bishop and his friends, {jersistc^nt and equal to all 
emergencies, weathered every adverse gale and kei)t the de- 
cision anchored to its first moorings. 



BISHOP LAYS OUT THE TOWN OF TAYLORSVILLE. 

The hill prominence having been definitely chosen as the place 
for the county seat, Mr. and Mrs. James Proctor followed by 
deeding sixty acres of their claim of 100 acres, to the county for 
the town site. The clause of the deed reciting the consideration 
reads as follows: "For value and for the consideration of having 
our land and property increased in value by having the county 
seat of Wise County located near our residence, have this tlay 
donated, released and conveyed unto Wm. S. Gates, Justice of 
Wise County, and his succ(\ssors in office, for the sok^ use and 
benefit of the county of Wise," etc. These original sixty acres, 
known as the Proctor addition, have their corners presently 



BISHOP LAYS OUT TOWN OF TAYLORSVILLE. iS 

defined in Decatur, as follows: The S. E. corner at the home of 
D. W. Frazer; the S. W. corner at the residence of Mrs. R. M. 
Collins; the N. W. corner at the old Blythe place in Northwest 
Decatur, and the N. E. near J. H. Gates' place in Northeast De- 
catur. Lines properly connecting these corners would define 
the original Proctor donation. 

Colonel Bishop now assumed active charge of the details of 
locating and laying out the town, which wag to rest on the bald 
hill of the prairie. These labors were in conformance with the 
designs he had in view, designs which comprehended the evolu- 
tion of the high prominence into a precise and consistently ar- 
ranged plat of the town. No haphazard locations and settle- 
ments such as are common to new towns, were to be made, so 
long as Bishop's brain surged with dreams and ideas of a more 
highly perfected result. To his natural endowments of taste 
and orderly mind. Colonel Bishop brought to the task before 
him the garnered observations of broad travel and the experi- 
ence of metropolitan life, which intangibles he worked into the 
ground plan of the county capital of Wise County. 

The archstone of his idea was the limited level space which 
constitutes the crest of the hill in question, and which is now 
the public square at Decatur, which admits an uninterrupted 
and superb view of all the surrounding country. This he de- 
signed to form into a square, with the business houses facing 
from the four sides upon it, and with two main streets radiat- 
ing from each of its four corners. Some day he ho})ed that a 
magnificent temple of justice would be raised in the center of 
his beloved square. 

The details of the plan of laying out were made after the 
town of McKinney, in Collin County, which town Colonel 
Bishop had visited and whose plan he admired. 

Now he was about to apply the practical touches to the con- 
summation of the dream for which he had striven and fought 
all these years. He gained authority from his friend, Justice 
Oates, to lay out the town in accordance with his own plans, 
after which he repaired to his farm on Sweetwater and made a 
large supply of burr-oak stakes, nicely hewn and painted on 
one side. With the aid of these, the work of surveying was 



74 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

begun. The .scjiiart^ was staked out precisely on top of the hill, 
and the streets and lots surveyed in conformance with it. All 
lines were deliberately and carefully made, as is reflected in the 
present systematic arrangement of the town. 

After the streets aqd lots had been surveyed and plainly 
marked, the plat was turned over to the county authorities and 
Colonel Bishop, having realized his ambitions, stepped aside, 
his next move being to abandon his home on Sweetwater and 
locate in the new county capital. 

PUBLIC SALE OF LOTS. 

A public sale of lots was soon after held. The business lots 
around the square brought $100.00 each, with the following as 
some of the buyers: Howell and Allen, south corner lot of west 

side; Joe Henry Martin, central lot on southwest corner; 

Dean, south corner, south side; Thos. Stewart, central lot, west 
side; Colonel Bishop, west corner, north side; Colonel W. H. 
Hunt and Marshall Bird well wer(^ also buyers. 

The county next demanded a courthouse, and being without 
material to build one, the little buikling heretofore described as 
having been built by Henry Martin near Howell and Allen's 
store was bought , moved to Taylorsville and placed on the north- 
east corner of the public square. This was the first house to adorn 
the Decatur hill and was Wise County's first temple of justice. 

BEGINNING OF DEC.\TUR. 

Now followetl the real beginning of the town of Decatur (still 
called Taylorsville). Three houses were begun simultaneously. 
One of these by Howell and Allen, who saw the necessity of 
moving their store to the new town-site. As previously noted 
this firm had bought the south corner lot of the west side of the 
square upon which they contracted for a two-story business house, 
the ground floor to be used by them and the upper story as a 
lodge room by the Masonic fraternity. Henry and Tom Jennings 
were awarded the contract to build this house. The second of 
the three houses was designed as a dwelling for Mr. Howell, to 
stand on tlie lot now occupied by the old Ford Weekly, ^nd 



BEGINNING OF DECATUR. 



75 



Johnston warehouse just off the northeast corner of the square. 
George Stevens was the workman employed upon this building. 
The third house was begun by Electious Halsell on the south 
corner of the east side of the square, now occupied by the Terrell 
building and D. W. Frazer's furniture store. This was to be a 
log structure with two front rooms, sixteen feet square, with a 
wide hallway between. vShed and side rooms were attached to 
the rear and standing detached and still further to the rear was 
the kitchen, in true ante-bellum style. Mr. Halsell designed the 
building for a tavern, Decatur's first enterprise of the kind. On 
this Charles and Joe Gates and W. W. Brady began work. 

It is not reported that a race for first completion was engaged 




AN OLD DECATUR HOME. 
(J. G. Halsell's Home.) 



in by the workmen employed on these pioneer structures, but 
at all events the last named building was finished in advance of 
the others and in consequence became the first house erected on 
the Decatur townsite. The event was celebrated in true pioneer 
fashion. Mr. Halsell moved into the tavern and gave it an 
auspicious opening by entertaining with a dance and supper, 
which was attended b}^ all the aspiring gallants of the county. 

The four rude structures resting on the crest of the hill, changed 
its appearance very greatly, but it was to be made to resemble 
a village still more by the addition of other buildings. One of 
these was the old Howell and Allen store which was moved off 
the prairie and stationed on a lot in the middle of the west block 



76 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

of the s(iuarc, to be used by Dr. Thomas Stewart as a ch"ug store, 
known to the people as the "apothecary shop." Dr. Stewart was 
a native of IlHnois and on coming to Taylorsville, found himself 
the pioneer ph3\sician of the village. 

Another of these original structures was that erected by 
Colonel Bishop, who by this time had abandoned Sweetwater 
and moved to the village where he engaged in selling goods. 
Colonel Bishop's store was built on the northwest corner of the 
square where the Jones Dry Goods store now stands. For several 
years the j^ost office was kept there and continued during the 
years of the Civil War, with John McDaniel as the postmaster. 
i^ But th(> first post office of the village was kept in Howell and 
Allen's, having been retained by the firm as one branch of its 
business. At this time the mail was still being brought weekly 
by horseback from Old Alton, in D(mton Count}', and as regu- 
larly rc^turnetl. Later on the overland mail route was established 
as well as regular service between Taylorsville and Ft. Worth, 
also between Taylorsville and Springtown, Denton and Montague. 

The little court room on the northeast corner provided suffi- 
cient s{)ace for the county's meagre business and left a surplus to 
be rented. This surplus was occupied temporarily by the store 
sui)plies of David Cates and P. P. R. Collom, pending the comple- 
tion for them of a building on the east corner of the south block 
which they later occupied. Colonel R. M. Collins and Charles D. 
Cates are named as youthful clerks, the first named being 
attached to Howell and Allen's ston^ and the latter with Colonel 
Bishop. 

With these preliminary details accomi)lished the village was 
established, the event marking the clos(^ of the measures of 
county organization as well as the beginning of Decatur as a 
town. The original village was called Taylorsville, a name 
given it, it is said, by Colonel Bishop, who honored General 
Zachary Taylor in the naming. This name was retained until 
January 7, 1858, when Colonel Bishop, as a member of the 
legislature, secured the adoption of a resolution which officially 
changed the name from Taylorsville to Decatur, from which 
date the village became known by the latter designation. A 
pretty story is told in relation to this circumstance which is 



BEGINNING OF DECATUR. 



77 



here described, not as a historical fact, but as a traditional 
report. It is that Colonel Bishop soug-ht to change the name of 
the county seat because Zachary Taylor had turned ^Mlig in 
politics, which views comported not at all with Bishop's, which 
were radically Democratic. The incident, if true, is illustrative 
of the strong prejudicial nature of Colonel Bishoj), a trait of 
mind which ht> is known to have jDossessed. 

The language of the legislature creating the change is as follows : 

"Sec. 1. Be it enacted by 
the Legislature of the State of 
Texas, that the name of the 
town of Taylorsville, in Wise 
County, be, and the same is 
hereby changed to that of 
Decatur, and that all writs 
and process, records and 
proceedings of whatever na- 
ture and kind, returnable or 
relating to the courts or other 
tribunals of Wise County, 
shall be as valid and binding 
in law and ecjuity, as if no 
change had been made in the 
name of the said town. And 
that this act take effect from 
its passage." 

The name, Decatur, said 
by Mrs. Edward Blythe, the 
surviving daughter of Colonel 
Bishop, to have been sug- 
gested to Bishop by Mrs. Bishop, his wife, is derived from that 
of Commodore Stephen Decatur, the American admiral of the 
revolutionary period, to whom a sketch is elsewhere devoted. 

Wise County at this period was fortunate in not being incum- 
bered with a criminal class of any consequence, upon account of 
which no jail was deemed necessary. At least accounts no 
special provisions were made for the detention of the breakers of 
law. Whenever detention became necessarv^ resort was had to 




COMMODORE DECATUR. 



78 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

unoccupied Ijuildings wherein prisoners were Ijound and chained 
to the stout door plates and guartled, if the infractions charged 
against them merited extreme measures of watchfulness. No 
jail building was constructed for some time afterwards, and 
when built, was made a tight frame structure, located on a lot 
near the present water works. 

FIRST SCHOOL, CHURCH AND OTHER BEGINNINGS AT DECATUR. 

Decatur's i)ioneer school was taught in the little log house that 
stood on the lot now occupied by the City Hotel. The house had 
formerly been the dwelling of W. S. Hoag and rested on the 
banks of Walnut Creek some two miles south from Decatur. In 
1857 it was torn down and brought to Decatur, where it was 
made into a dwelling-place for David Cates, following whose 
death it remained unoccupietl. Here in the fall and winter of 
1857, Frank Pettit, a young Tennesseean, lately come out, con- 
ducted a school, having for his pupils the few children of the 
village. He was succeeded by Mrs. Salmon, a kinswoman of 
Colonel W. H. Hunt, who had come from England to Cactus Hill 
and from there to Decatur. Mrs. Salmon was a woman of high 
culture. Schools in various places were conducted in Decatur 
during this period, the sessions being confined to empty build- 
ings and residences. The first school, church and lodge building 
was built at a later date near where the Methodist Church in 
Decatur now stands and was large enough to accomodate a 
large school attendance on the lower floor and the lodge room of 
the Masonic fraternity above. The various church denomina- 
tions of the village held alternate services in the building. 

Decatur did not attain to much importance as a school center 
until following the war. 

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 

Among the early incidents of the life of the youthful county- 
seat it is remarked that the first lawyer to arrive and set up shop 
was a gifted young man from Red River County, Wm. Ellette, 
by name, who latterly so far ingratiated himself into the general 
esteem as to be chosen to succeed Colonel Bishop in the legisla- 



MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, • 79 

tiire. Quite singular also is it that the town's second luminary 
of the law, Robert Graham, also of Red River County, was to go 
to the legislature as the successor of Ellette. 

In addition to Dr. Thomas Stewart, previously described as 
the pioneer physician, there were two others. Dr. Wm. Renshaw, 
of Tennessee, and Dr. James Stuart, who soon moved in to be- 
come permanent residents and practitioners. The village found 
considerable trouble in distinguishing between the two Dr. 
Stuarts, when occasion made such desirable, and a solution of 
the difficulty was found in attaching such descriptive titles to 
the respective gentlemen as would end in their being discrimi 
nated, one from the other. Dr. Thomas Stewart was of a sandy 
complexion and to him was given the name of ''Sorrel" and to 
Dr. James Stuart, who sported a flowing black beard was given 
the name of "Black." "Sorrel Doc" and "Black Doc" are now 
common references in the old settler's talk. 

On October 28, of the year 1859, the first birth of a white 
child occurred in the village. Mr. and Mrs. Elmore Allen at that 
time lived in the house now occupied by Charles D. Cates, on 
East Main Street, and in the southwest corner room of this 
house Benjamin Franklin Allen was born on the above date. 
Mr. Allen is at present a popular cashier in the Herring Na- 
tional Bank of Vernon, to which latter place he removed from 
Decatur some years ago. He married Miss Stella Cates, daugh- 
ter of Mr. and Mrs. Clabe Cates, original Wise County citizens. 
The room in which the pioneer infant of Decatur was born 
remains unchanged. 



80 



PIOXKEK HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY 




BEN F. ALLEN. 
(First White Child Born in Decatur.) 



CHAPTER IX. 

Second Village in the County Established — 
Prairie Point. 

Taylors ville, which in 1857, became Decatur, and Prairie 
Point remained the principal villages of the county during the 
period that preceded the war. Outside of these there were no 
places where supplies could be bought, with the exception of the 
little store which Samuel L. Terrell kept for awhile on Catlett 
Creek. 

Prairie Point was the original of the present town of Rhome 
and was recruited from a neighborhood of Missourians, who by 
1857, had come in such numbers as to justify a market in their 
midst. Among the citizens reported living in the vicinity at that 
date are Samuel Sheets, John Kerr, Ben Haney, Judge W. S. 
Oats, Thornton Huff, John Boyd, Dr. Marshall, John Morris, 
Zebediah B. Carroll and Moffat, the latter of whom the Indians 
afterwards killed. Because the most of these were originally 
from the state above mentioned the name "Missouri Community" 
was given to the region. A small store had been set up to supply 
the needs of the people. 

The land on which Rhome now stands was taken up in the fall 
of 1857 by Samuel Sheets, who in the spring of 1858 laid out a 
town and named it Prairie Point. On the day that the platting 
and surveying was being done a general fight occurred on the 
scene which prompted one of the wits of the community to sug- 
gest the name of "Scuffletown" for the new village, but the 
suggestion met the fate which is commonly meted out to projects 
which haven't the semblance of practicability about them. 

Samuel Sheets' dwelling stood near where the Decatur and 
Ft. Worth road and Denton and Weatherford stage route, inter- 
sected, and was called the "Cross-Roads Tavern," because ac- 
comodation was provided travelers there. 

Among the first storekeepers were Henry Patton, the grocer, 
and — Stevens, who ran a drug store. In about 1859 Tom 
Allen and brother opened another store. Prairie Point was the 
center of the Wise County Peace Party rebellion, a dramatic in- 
cident to be later described. 

(81) 



CHAPTER X. 

Analysis of the Citizenship — Study of the Times and 
THE Manners — Problems and Conditions. 

The foregoing descriptions have prepared the way for the gen- 
eral remarks to be introduced under the above heads. Consti- 
tuting a discursive connnent on the people, their characteristics, 
modes and manners and the problems and conditions of the 
times, the chapter is planned to throw an illuminating light over 
the most important part of the pioneer life. The remarks here 
presented are intended to comprehend the full preliminary years 
of the county history, a lapse of time during which no radical 
changes occurred in the character of the population nor in the 
elemental problems to be solved. 

It is true, there followed many stressful years during which 
violent outside factors and forces interposed a changed order of 
events which necessitated the formation of new policies and 
measures, but these on fading away left the people where prima- 
rily they had stood, with their old selves unaltered antl with no 
variations having occurred to the equality of the times. An every 
day life of the people and the character of the people themselves , 
as were revealed in the actual working out of the settlement of 
the county is intended to be conveyed by these remarks. The 
hour is favorable to the purpose. It is a time of dreamy repose 
and the people and the times fall naturally into poses and con- 
ditions essential to being viewed in their true situations. 

Speaking generally of the citizenship it will accord with the 
facts to state that the old South furnished the majority of the 
population, with the second best represented section lying on 
what was fast crystalizing into the border between the North and 
South. North and South Carolina, Cfeorgia, Mississippi and 
Alabama sent forth sturdy sons, innoculated with pro-slavery 
views, to set up here institutions patterned after those of the 
land from which they had departed. The bonUu- states, Tennes- 
see, Kentucky and Missouri, were also well represented. From 
the far North, Indiana, Pennsvlvania and New York, had come 
(82) 



ANALYSIS OF THE CITIZENSHIP. 83 

a few to tint the prevailing political atmosphere with unwonted 
color. Scattered over the country were to be found a small 
sprinkling of Kansan'sand other middle westerners and still others 
from the remaining non-slave holding states. These latter were 
of Northern sympathies and in the great crisis to come, consti- 
tuted the small minority here which arose to dispute the sway of 
the local elements of the Confederacy. 

But with the exception of a few slaves, all who came were 
Americans. Wise County has ever remained singularly free 
from the infusion of foreign blood into her pure and sturdy 
American stock. 

Reverting to a more intimate view of the characteristics of the 
people as these were manifested, the wTiter readily disclaims the 
power to act in full accordance with the implied responsibility. 
To do so would be to transcend the whole complex system of 
human manifestations, an emergency in this instance not to be 
met; " The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." 

There were, however, certain well-defined traits and tendencies 
peculiar to the pioneer individualit3% which attempt will here 
be made to portray. 

The ideal human character has many shining virtues and 
attributes, but what one of them is brightest and the most 
potent for good remains for the recording angels to judge. If 
there is a virtue that outsplendors, rugged honesty, then the 
brightest gem in the diadem of the old pioneer is bodimmed. 
Honesty that not only applies to word of mouth but to every act 
and deed in which self and others are concerned, is here implied. 
And docs not this comprehend the virtues of charity, which 
is understood to be the greatest of all? Rugged honesty, the 
kind that does not present a rose in which a thorn is hidden. 
An officially unclassified species of honesty, about which there 
can be no garnish, nor decoration, no dissimulation. A steely 
pointed frankness that goes straight to its target, but does not 
wound because it is not poisoned. 

The exigencies of the times generated this virtue in the 
bosoms of the pioneers. Among the sparse population, those 
of doubtful and suspicious characters were easily detected and 
accorded those extreme measures of correction which small 



84 PIOXEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

bodies of honest men coinnionly visit upon betrayers discovered 
in their ranks. Those who tried to hve contrary to the high 
standard of morals in the community found themselves swiftly 
isolated from that freedom of association and general esteem 
which is not only the yearning of every human breast, but a 
vital essential to individual happiness. Thus shut out, and 
with (n^ry hand turned against them, the violaters of the law, 
both human and divine, found themselv(\^ forced to the necessity 
of seeking more hospitable climes where their nefarious practices 
were regarded with a more tolerant degree of consideration. 

It is due to the operation of this code that the criminal record 
of the pioneer period is of inconsiderable proportions, hardly 
justifying any comment. A material proof of the general 
reverence for law and order exists in the failure of the county 
to .provide a jailhouse for the detention of malefactors, an 
expediency which was deemed unnecessary. 

The pious nature of the average pioneer has been alluded to, 
so that a backward glance cast into the gathering dusk of that 
far time is privileged to alight on numerous of the virtues that 
shine forth resplendently. Hospitality is discovered existing 
in its ideal state. That which has been said of the pre-enynent 
virtue, honesty, can with truthfulness be ascribed to this second 
crowning (juality of the original settlers — that it was genuine. 
No people of any age, time or country, has surpassed the people 
of that era for the degree of sympathy and thoughtfulness which 
neighbor accorded unto neighbor and citizen unto stranger. 
The boundless generosity of their hearts stands as a reproach 
to these latter times of selfishness and greed. 

Botli simplicity and unaffectedness of manner adorned the 
pioneer character. The speech was direct and the dress plain. 
The prevalence of these qualiti(\^ countenanced no class dis- 
tinctions and resulted in all men being esteemed in degrees pro- 
portionate to the sterling qualities possessed b}^ them. Thus 
substance remained in ascendency above the seeming, suspended 
there by the faculty that ''loots thi-ough the show of things 
to things themselves." • 

Thrift and intelligence constitute two other (jualities which 
heightened the personal worth of the citizens of this era. Both 



ANALYSIS OF THE CITIZENSHIP. 85 

sprang from a restricted environment in which men's wits were 
sharpened as a means of escape from (hre wajit and impoverish- 
ment. 

One other prominent trait of character will he mentioned. 
Described as a turn for practical joking, it might further be 
elucidated as the humorous sense of the people bursting forth 
from its fetters. The character of the times provided little in 
the way of amusement and entertainment, and the people fell 
upon their own resources instead. Joking and prank-playing 
were the inevitable accompaniments of whatever else was 
occurring whenever men gathered together. In the midst of 
their fortitude and troubles the people evinced a cheerfulness 
and bravery that brought them to see the bright side of every 
dark picture. 

Recurring to a thoughtful consideration of the environment and 
of the people, as each reacted on the other, it is only by guaging 
the past with the present that a satisfactory idea can be gained 
of the conditions of the remoter period. And at the outset he 
that has the task of guaging before him is confronted with the 
temptation to exaggerate in favor of the by-gone era, which 
seems to furnish so much that is representative of the best in 
human nature. Glancing back, one's eyes fall on a big, whole- 
some and cheery life, with nature in her true and undefiled state 
as a background. We find a man-making, character-building 
atmosphere, the parallel of which will not again exist unless new 
planets are invaded, and new, strange and wild countries are 
thrown open to settlement. Absorption in its study becomes 
intensified because of the refreshing appeal made to our human 
kind love of nature and natural manifestations from all objects 
endowed with the capacity of expression ; it is absorbing because 
of its utter contrast to modern modes of living; because of the 
reality of the life lived ; because of the revelation as to how man 
would live, uncribbed and unconfined by civilization's later 
usages, conventions and restrictions; because it shows how far 
man has departed from plain living and high thinking; lastly, 
because it was the apotheosis of the simple life. 

It was an experience common to American life ; had been en- 
acted in every State in adv^ance of civilization, and chronicled 



86 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

in every history, but its commonness is gi'owing increasing!}^ 
rare — yea, has faded away from the earth, and is deserving of 
being perpetuated in every record in nature liistorical. Some 
one has suggested that " its passing must be noted with respect 
and appreciation of what we owe to it." 

Should the hurrying present pause sufficiently long to pass 
in retrospect the life lived by the forefathers, many inspiring 
examples would be the reward. Doubtless we should become 
impressed with the evidences of economy everywhere prevailing. 
The home and farm stood aloof from all connection with the pro- 
ducing and providing world beyond, except that unreliable 
and expensive mode of slow-moving ox team, transportation, 
from which state of affairs the habit of economy and home 
production was developed. To live and to enjoy life the people 
fell upon their own resources in providing the articles necessary 
to existence which ended in its becoming a purely homespun 
and home producing age. 

'' Nothing will ever be again as in the old times," says one;* 
and continuing: "We see men clad in the wool clipped from 
their own flocks, women wearing the product of their looms; 
and at once we know their industrial order, their manner of life, 
and their virtues. The thread from the home spindle is the 
clue to every passage in their civilization. With great zest the 
orator shows how in an age of homespun there are flocks of sheep 
in the pastures, spinning wheels buzzing and looms thwacking in 
the house, and how food as well as clothing is produced on the 
farm, with the slight exception that the lads must go on horse- 
back to mill ; how families thrive in sturtly independence of the 
world, but united in the closest domestic co-operation and 
9,ffection; how character grows frugal, austens honest; how 
common ideals and an approximate ('([uality favor friendly 
intercourse; how thrift is linked to intelligence and establishes 
the school; how these sturdy traits culminate in the earnest 
discharge of duty towards the infinite source of all good in 
solemn and heart searching worship." 



* L. Anderson, in "The Country Town"; remarks based on an address en- 
titled "The Age of Homespun" delivered by Horaee Bushnell. 



ANALYSIS OF THE CITIZENSHIP. 87 

At this time ccononiit* independence was necessary because 
of the absence of rail transportation. As revealed in the intro- 
duction, railroad building in the State was in the infancy of its 
development, and overland hauling of goods, wares and mer- 
chandise to the frontier from the ports of entry, an average 
distance of 200 miles, was too expensive a process to be accorded 
a place of absolute reliance. Where the produce of the farmers 
could not be sold, and where merchandise could not stand the 
high rate of transportation, the people had no recourse but to 
raise their own raw materials and convert them by hand into 
useful articles. The settlement in reaching maturity before 
the time of the railroads thus became a typically homespun 
civilization. The people attained through sacrifices, self denials, 
and self resourcefulness, a remarkable strength, capability and 
dignity of character which should be the envy of the best races 
of mankind. The women, free from the bondage of fashion 
and convention, evolved into sane and healthy types of woman- 
hood, equal to the task of accomplishing their part of the duties 
of the hour. 

Should other prominent features of the life be sought, the 
attention would be attracted to the almost constant outdoor 
living followed by the people. The chief duties of the time 
fell to the fields and prairies where products were raised and 
herds attended, and wliere healthy existence was pursued in the 
face of the extremes of weather. Under such circumstances, 
the people grew hardy, strong and robust, ate their daily victuals 
with the keenest of appetites and dreamed in peaceful sleep at 
night. The constant conflict with nature's brawny and ele- 
mental forces produced men of giant stature, both of body and 
of mind. Doubtless the latter lacked something in refinement, 
but the loss was made up in sheer native force, power and 
ingenuity. Personal bravery was another concomitant of the 
character of existence. Forced at all seasons into the teeth of 
the most tumultuous weather and to contact with the burly 
dangers or an unsettled environment, indifference to personal 
safety and life became an ingrained habit, and men dared the 
lightning and the thund(»rs and slept through storms with 
sanguine expectations of living to see quieter moments. The 



88 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

women grew acciistoniecl to loneliness and to desertion for long- 
periods, as well as to bravery in meeting with fortitude the 
many burdensome tasks that fell to their lot. 

Should now the chief characteristics of the old settlers be 
passed in review as a sunmiing uj) of this chapter, one may first 
say that he was kind, that he was lovable and generous, and 
that he was the most affectionate of fathers and husbands ; that 
his charitableness knew no limitations and his hospitality no 
subsidence this side of according to all the full outpouring of 
whatever he had of heart and hand to bestow; that he was a 
good and loyal citizen and that he loved his country with an 
affection which caused him to spring to its defense upon all 
occasions whenever such became necessary; that he was a man 
of honor whose word was his bond; that he was chivalrous, 
brave and open-hearted; that he was sympathetic with the 
unfortunate and downtrodden and tolerant of the weaknesses 
of his human brothers. In his j)ubli(' capacity he aided the 
cause of education and the growth of good citizenship; upheld 
the law and sustaincnl the forces of progress (n'erywhere. His 
type is fast fading from view, and while among his many sub- 
stantial virtues, he had others that were weak and unchn'eloped, 
and while he shared in the imperfections connnon to mankind, 
yet by reason of certain-original traits of character he was one of 
the most picturesque and original of the many varieties of })er- 
sonality which the different phases and periods of American 
life has produced. On his rugged shoulders the institutions of 
our latter day civilization are erected; we are the beneficiaries 
of his brave persistency and obstinate courage; it is the hei'itage 
of his blood that will perpetuate our society and our morals; let 
us note his passing with reverence and res])cct. 

E.\RLY .M.\RKET8 .VXD COMMERCE. 

Changing conditions make it possible to sejmrate the early 
years into two alternate pcn-iods for the pur])ose of in^•estigation. 
Up until the beginning of the war the markets at Houston, 
Jefferson and Shreveport were accessible to this frontier, and 
were the ]wints wluM'e the p(>o))le went for su])plies. P^ut upon 



EARLY MARKETS AND COMMERCE. 89 

the beginning of hostilities between the North and South, the 
ports were blockaded, and no commerce permitted between them 
and the outer world. The effects of this cutting off of supplies 
were far-reaching and especially destructive to the settlements 
on the frontier, ending in bringing about a period of limitation 
and restriction directly opposed to the condition of freedom and 
accessibility to supplies which obtained during the earlier years. 

During the first years a system of ox-team freight transporta- 
tion was kept up between the above bases of supplies and the 
frontier. The service was virtually abandoned during the war, 
but was revived again after the war subsitled. An average rate 
of $3.00 per cwl. was charged by the regular freighters, which, 
when considered with the many weeks required in going and 
returning, put a burden on business enterprise under which 
modern institutions would succumb. 

The gradual extension of the Houston and Texas Central 
railway into north Texas had the effect of changing the markets 
from the original ports to the northern terminus of this road 
wherever that annually happened to be. One year it was at 
Hempstead, later on it was at Bryan, then at Dallas and McKin- 
ney, lastly at Denison. The markets having been brought nearer, 
the freight charges were lessened proportionately. New Orleans 
was occasionally patronized by the frontier merchants, and 
whenever this was done the merchandise purchased was shipped 
ori Red River boats to Shreveport and thence hauled overland. 
Visits by merchants to markets for buying were made a horse- 
back twice yearly, like unto the journeys made by merchants of 
later days, with the exception that none of the ease and comfort 
of modern times was then to be enjoyed. The route lay over the 
black land districts of North and Central Texas, which, when 
softened by much rain became almost impassable to travellers 
and teamsters. It was not uncommon for heavily loaded wagons 
to discharge parts of their cargo by the roadside to be returned 
for at a more favorable time. Because of these conditions, 
merchants have had- goods and wares scattered from the frontier 
to Shrevepoi't, soaking in rain and mud. The Red River boats 
also had a hal)it of sticking in sand bars and snags for days at a 
time, thus producing other delays. 



90 PIONEER HISTORY OF AA^ISE COUNTY. 

The supplies brought on during the earUest days included those 
articles needed by the people which wei-e not produced by them 
on the farm, and did not vary in nature. The mode of buying 
and selHng was typical of the time; very little exchange of money, 
w^hich was scarce, taking place. Cattle and other stock WTre 
received in exchange for merchandise and in turn WTre driven 
to the w^holesale markets and traded for goods in large lots. 

Under these conditions local prices for staple articles ranged 
about as follow\s: 51t3s. sugar, $1.00; 41bs. green coffee, $1.00; 
200tbs. salt, $10.00; lOOlbs. flour, $6.00; tea per lb, $1.00; whiskey 
per gallon, $4.00; calico, 12|c. per yard; yard wide domestic, 25c. 
per yard; Kentucky jeans, 75c. to $1.00 per yard; brogan shoes, 
$2.50 per pair; boots, $5.00 to $10.00 per pair; coarse wool hat, 
$2.50. Famine prices sometimes ])revailed when green coffee 
would sell at 50c. per lb. and salt $12.00 per cwt. 

Store accounts were usually settled once in twelve months 
with neither notes nor mortgages taken. It was a time when 
all were trusted and with few betrayals thereof. Sums of money 
W'Cre loaned without security and without demands of interest. 
It remained for a much later date to flemand five per cent, per 
month interest rates and comprehensive mortgages. 

FARMING MODES AND CONDITIONS — COMMENT. 

A detailed description of the farming conditions of the time 
would involve an elucidation of the cattle raising business, since 
the limited farm efforts WTre designed as a support for the latter 
industry W'hich was paramount. No cash remuneration was 
sought from crop raising at this stage. This was because there 
were no approximate markets, and because certain soils, es- 
pecially the black lands of the prairie, WTre deemed unsuitable 
for farming purposes. Farming efforts were directed principally 
to raising sufficient grain for family bread stuffs and grain and 
forage for domestic work stock. Not until the late sixties did 
general farming receive any impetus in Wise County; cotton 
raising during the early years was a thing little dreamed of. 

The primary industries of Wise County had hardly begun to 
unfold when'two calamitous conditions visitetl tlestruction upon 



FARMING MODES AND CONDITIONS. 91 

the county, materially affecting all its chief interests and bringing 
immigration to a decided' pause. Reference is here made to the 
drouth of seven years' duration and a pestilential shower of 
grasshoppers, both combining to produce general havoc. Prior 
to the inception of these destructive conditions, this country was 
attracting wide attention as a land flowing with milk and honey, 
and as affording boundless atlvantages to those seeking inexpen- 
sive homes. But under the changed conditions prospective 
comers were turned away and drifted into channels that led 
elsewhere. 

The crop failure and pest evils added more rigorous hardships 
to the people already burdened with the countless trials of a 
frontier existence. As was said the crop failure lasted seven 
years, beginning about the year 1857, during which time scarcely 
any corn was raised. vShould the country have been at that time 
in a state of sole dependence upon crop productions, the frontier 
would have been depopulated and the settlement of Wise County 
postponed indefinitely. But very fortunately there were other 
dependencies, chiefly those supplied by the abundant wild game 
of the forests, and the home hog herds which fattened on mast, 
and made a sweet, deliciously flavored meat. Also the people, 
forced to the experiment, began the raising of small grain, 
wheat, oats and barley, of which crops enough were raised to 
provide the family bread. 

But the grain crops in turn barely escaped devastation by the 
pest of grasshoppers, which during the years of their prevalence, 
made appearances at the approach of each autunmal season, 
when they were borne in on the winds of the early " northers." 
Commonly denominated as " Mormons," they were described as 
being small of body and brown of color, and when settled on the 
vegetation, the face of the earth assumed a decided brown tinge. 
As they came in, the atmosphere would be blackened with them, 
and the sun almost obscured. Continuing on south, they fell 
into the Gulf of Mexico, when the tides would wash them ashore 
in great ridges along the beach. In the spring, the hoppers would 
depart, but not before devouring the young gardens and nearly 
destroying the grain crops. When freed of the incubus the latter 
would spring up and make such indifferent harvests as the reign 



92 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

of drouth would porniit, which commonly was sufficient to make 
breadstuffs. The chickens feetling on the hoppers died of crop- 
swelling, constituting an additional disaster. 

Upon maturing the grain was cut with rea])-hooks and later 
on with cradles, either mode being very laborious work. An 
energetic workman could cut three or four acres a da}'. Thresh- 
ing was accomplished by the crudest of processes. The grain 
was either tramped out by horses or oxen or else spread over 
rail pens and beaten out with poles; the wind was then allowed 
to blow on it in order to separate the chaff. A flutter mill was 
finally introduced which ditl the work more tjuickly and with less 
trouble. Milling was the next step, and no mills existed this 
sid(» of Mc Kinney, Dallas and Ft. Worth. Ten days were usually 
reciuired to take a load of grain to mill and return. 

Finally three crude mills were established in the neighborhood 
of Sand Hill, this after the population had increased to the 
demand of such conveniences. The mills were put u]3 by Jim 
Brooks, Jim Browder and John Pauley, and were of original and 
novel construction, and operated quite as originally. A large 
wooden wheel, many feet in circumference, was inclined at an 
angle of forty-five degrees, attached to which were shafts, cogs 
and smaller wheels, all perfected into a mechanism which ground 
the grain which was poured into the hopper at a distance. 

Fastened to the upper surface of the large wooden wheel 
were cleats which aided the ox-teams, the propelling forces of 
the machinery, in giving impetus to the turning of the wheel. 
The oxen were trained to stand on \hc rim of th(> wheel nearest 
to the ground and keej) up a perpetual walking which kept the 
wheel in constant motion. Twenty-five to forty l)ushels of grain 
could be reduced daily, a fourth of which went to the miller for 
toll. About fifteen years later Browder's mill was converted 
into a cotton gin, the fii-st in the country — capacity, four to five 
bales daily. 

Ox-teams were the dei)endence in all industrial affairs of the 
conununity ne(>(ling higher jM'oi)elling i)ow(>r than man alone 
could i)rovide. Ti'ained to ol;)ey oral .commands from the driver, 
they took the indicated direction without the necessity of guid- 
ance bv lines, and being, when thoroughh' broken, lazv and 



WILD GAME — BUFFALO — WILD HORSES, ETC. 93 

slow of motion, were persuaded to action by the use of a long 
whip called a " black-snake," which, in expert hands, could be 
" cracked " with much deftness over the animals' backs. 

Strange and peculiar to coming generations will be the " gee 
and haw " of the pioneer period. 

The people derived advantages from the sparsely settled 
conditions; grass was free and abundant and procurable at all 
seasons, and the only expense attendant u}Jon stock raising was 
that arising from salting and herding. The chief efforts of the 
times were to raise a little corn for bread and to feed the work 
stock in plowing time, a so to have a little to throw occasionally 
to the range hogs to keep them gentle. As Samuel Woody 
summed up the situation : "In those days we sowed a little 
wheat and corn and raised cattle and hogs, looking out only for 
meat, bread and whiskey." Possibly the full statement would 
not apply generally, otherwise is pointed and illuminative. 

The first year's efforts of a new arrival in the county would 
be directed to clearing a little patch around which a brush f(>nce 
would be thrown; then would follow the cultivation of a patch 
of maize and potatoes and other v(^getables. Later on the field 
would be enlarged and a rail, stake and rider fence, put around it, 
and probably. the original log dwelling would also be enlarged. 
The dream of settlement was then completed. 

Fifteen years lapsed before the feasibility of cotton raising 
was discovered, during which schools were conducted and well 
attended in all seasons, a sad comment on the present time. 

The first cotton raised is attributenl, by Mr. J. D. White, to 

Broadstreet, who lived in the Pavillard community. 

This was soon after the closing of the war, and the cotton was 
hauled to Ft. Worth to be ginned. 

, WILD GAME — BUFFALO — WILD HORSES — TRAINED INSTINCT 

IN HORSES. 

These were the good "old days" of plentiful wild game; when 
deer jumped the field fence and pastured on the wheat; when 
quail and prairie chicken fed with the chickens in the yard, the 
prairie fowl strutting and drumming all the while: when the boys 



94 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COL'NTY. 

went out before breakfast, and led on by the matutinal noises 
of the turkey, returned bearing big gobblers for dinner; when the 
forests teemed with small game ; when antelope in bunches of a 
hundred pastured on the hill tops and bear slunk heav3'-footed 
through the wooded bottoms. Besides these a numerous variety 
of other beasts, both shy and ferocious, were numbered among the 
wild animal kingdom. Only one original species was absent, the 
buffalo had gone before. Thirty to sixty miles farther west the 
settlers found him existing in countless numbers, and it became 
a custom to make annual himting expeditions into his midst, 
when large loads of the fresh meat would be brought home to be 
''cured" for future use. The disappearance of the buffalo from 
this county is attributed to the early hunters who came in and 
killed large numbers before the county was settled. Finally the 
great tribe was driven higher up on the plains and the only evi- 
dence the county had of its existence occurred later when the 
killing industry was fully established and Mexican teamsters 
began to pass through to Galveston conveying huge caravans of 
hides to port. 

When the cattle industry had developed and the Indians began 
to make attacks on the settlements the people became desirous 
of the complete extermination of the buffalo, for on the one hand, 
he consumed the grass of the range, and on the other, furnished a 
sustenance for tho savage. No one raised a hand in the defence 
of the buffalo, his doom Toeing sealed with the coming of the 
white race. 

A second picturesque species of tlie untamed kingdom of beasts 
were the numerous bunches of horses, called mustangs, existing 
and thriving on the abundant forage. Of all the animals found 
they were the fleetest of foot and the hardest to capture. Wild 
horse chasing became an exciting sport generally indulged in. 
The method of capture was original. The wild bunch rarely left 
a given range over which they pastured. When chased they 
circled about this range at full speed until the chasers wer(> tired 
down and defeated. Upon discovering this habit the people 
changed their tactics and instead of following at full speed, 
galloped al)out from })oint to point, taking cross-shoots and cuts 
and so maneuvering as to keep the wild bunch going at full speed, 



CATTLE AND HOGS AND CONDITIONS. 95 

until after two or three days the chased bunch, from sheer ex- 
liaustion would slacken speed and consent to be controlled. 
They were then driven into prearranged corralls, saddled and 
ridden. 

'^Bronco busting" became one of the amusements and arts of 
the times and a rider who could "stick" his saddle became a 
celebrity. The horses when captured were of inferior quality, 
small and scrawny, and incapable of being completely domesti- 
cated. The early horse stock of the county was tainted with this 
mustang blood and only within the last decade has its remaining 
evidences been obliterated. 

During the latter years of savage hostility, a fleet horse became 
the most prized possession of the people ; their usefulness being 
based on their ability to carry their riders to a point of safety 
when being chased by the Indians. It is said that the instinctive 
sense of the animals became more acute to Indian signs and evi- 
dences than that of their human masters. In other words they 
could "smell" the savages and would betray signs of uneasiness 
when their riders would least anticipate themselves as in the close 
proximity of the ambuscaded enemy. At such times they would, 
by well interpreted restless action, clamor for free rein, with 
which to fleetly vacate the area of danger. All such horses were 
appropriately named and are yet referred to in terms of affection 
and endearment. 

CATTLE AND HOGS AND CONDITIONS. 

An erroneous inference has been attached to the live stock sit- 
uation of the preliminary period. It has been said that cattle by 
the thousands populated the hills as free property and that men 
grew rich and opulent merely by gathering and marketing them. 
Pretty stories are also told of the picturesque wild boar chasing, 
the campaign being pursued against wild animals found originally 
inhabiting the woods. Both these inferences 'are wrong. Every 
hoof of the great later herds had their ownership distributed 
among the many engaged in the cattle raising business and were 
the offspring of the few domestic herds brought along by incoming 
settlers. And the shaggy, wild and ferocious boars were the de- 



96 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

scendants of gentle ancestors, the squealing and grunting swine of 
the home pen, turned wild in the unrestricted ranges of the bot- 
toms. Neither cattle nor hogs existed before the coming of the 
white race. When they were introduced they were respectively 
of the "long-horn" and "razor-back" varieties, which marks of 
breeding were retained until a later and very recent era intro- 
duced better qualities. 

The county in its free and unfenced state i)resented an ideal sit- 
uation for the pursuit of the stock raising industry, which is 
largely accountable for the eagerness with which it was sought 
by early settlers. All stock was at liberty to roam whither it 
would and the pasturage of that date was of an abundance and 
richness not known at present. Grass grew to the height of a 
man's head, both on the prairie and in timber, the latter being 
uninfested with undergrowth. 

Hogs were turned free to forage on the mast and herbs of the 
bottoms, being occasionaly rounded up and fed to keep them 
domesticated. Both hogs and cattle were marked and the latter 
branded as a means of identification; each citizen had a distinc- 
tive ear mark which he instantly recognized; and he was well 
acquainted with the marks and brands of his neighbors. Each 
mark and brand was carefully recorded in the county clerk's 
office, the book containing same being the most resorted to in the 
office. 

Hog killing was then done mostly on the range where men 
would repair with wagons and teams and slaughter the fat, mast- 
fed swine, which made the sweetest and most delicious of bacon 
and hams. 

Many of the boars eluded watchfulness and lapsed into a state 
of ferocious barbarism in the bottoms, whence they were sought 
out by men and dogs, the sport contributing to one of the highest 
excitements of the times. 

As was stated of the cattle, the gradually enlarging herds were 
the outgrowth mostly of the small numbers of prolific cows 
brought along for domestic purposes. There were a few notable 
exceptions to this rule; thus W. H. Hunt, Dan Waggoner and 
others WTre primarily owners of comparatively large numbers 
which were driven in on the coming of the citizens to the county. 



CATTLE AND HOGS AND CONDITIONS. 97 

Both those named occupied extensive ranges in the western part, 
where foundations for vast fortunes were laid. But it is truthful 
to state that the great industry had its inception in the 
little bunches of the farm, whose annual increase multiplied and 
re-multiplied into countless thousands, until when the years had 
gone by, an era came when Wise County was one great cattle 
range and the theatre of operations of a large number of cattle 
barons. 

These proportions had been reached and the conditions sur- 
rounding the industry were adapting themselves to a staid and 
solid foundation, formed of the opening up of accessible markets 
and a clear comprehension of the problems of the business, when 
the holocaust of civil war arose to force, within a few months, a 
complete cessation of all the related enterprise and an early 
abandonment of the industry. 

But the degree of success attained prior to the beginning of the 
disaster of war, brought into relief a vivid and stirring life and a 
numerous company of striking and unicjue personalities, which 
latter as men confining their operations solely to cattle enter- 
prises, have long been prominently known to the people. Colonel 
W. H.'Hunt, with headquarters at Cactus Hill, and Dan Waggo- 
ner, further east toward Bridgeport, were both strong, individual 
men, highly successful in business and the leaders and originators 
of prominence in Western Wise County. On the border of Jack 
and Wise County Captain J. B. Earhart was a dominating factor 
and a thoroughly individual man. Samuel, Pierce and Harry 
Woodward operated in the Bridgeport country as did Joe Henry 
Martin and Ed Cumby; occupying moving ranges were Colonel 
G. B. Pickett and Captain John W. Hale with large herds. 
Later on Thomas and Glenn Halsell assumed in the ranks a place 
of importance, while on the northwestern edge of the county Eli 
Linley was known as a cattle man of prominence. Others who 
engaged either prominently or actively in the business were Bat 
Millholland, Sylvanous Reed, Wm. G. Russell, John Crutchfield, 
Wm. Waters, Jim Proctor, Jim Watson, Jack Moore, Marsh 
Cook, W^m. Perrin, Ben Blanton, John Looman and others. 

Western Wise County, due to peculiar advantages offered by 
its topography and sparse settlement, was reserved almost ex- 



98 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

clusively to cattlemen and their industry . Numerous headquar- 
ters were established there, the range being apportioned by 
common consent to prior occupants. Moving cow camps dotted 
the country and rugged bands of "cow-boys" scoured the country 
rounding up and branding and preparing for the spring drives. 
Every cattleman of consecjuence retained an "outfit," consisting 
of horses and men, the essential labor being to keep the herds 
confined to convenient range and to ke(^p all marked and branded. 

The rapid increase of the herds, augmented by the smaller con- 
tributions of the lesser raisers, early forced the necessity of a 
market and New Orleans was the first experimented with, but 
the high rate of transportation proved the experiment unprofit- 
able. Other markets were being reached, however, and the indus- 
try was in a thriving and promising condition when in ISOl the 
blight of war fell over the land. 

The effect was immediate and ultimately disastrous. The only 
market now offered the very few who remained in the business 
was that of the Confederate Armies, which soon opened up nego- 
tiations with cattle owners here to supply certain numbers for 
beef purposes, an unsatisfactory market, since a small minority 
of the cattle were taken. But enough beeves were shipix'd away 
from Wise County to draw a statement from Colonel B. B. 
Paddock in his "History of Northwest Texas," to the effect that 
Wise County perhaps furnished more beef to the Confetlerate 
Armies than any other like section in the south or w(>st. 

Sylvanous Reed and W. P. Russell were ai)point(Hl here as 
agents of the Confederacy to rec(>iv(> antl transport cattk^ to the 
armies. Em])owered as they were with confiscatory authority, 
they could take cattle from whom it i)leased them and as many, 
but in all cases receipts were given which constituted legal claims 
against the Confederate Treasury . 

Cattle now roamed at will and multiplied over the country. 
There were no helpers or tenders since all able bodied citizens 
had been drawn either into the Confederate Army or the local 
militia, and the industry was left to fare as best it might , marking 
and branding being out of the question. Consequently at the 
close of th(^ war countless hundreds of ownerless, unmarked and 
unbranded cattle existed. 



HOME LIFE. 99 

The opportunities now offered for growing instantly and 
famously rich were abundant. It was an attainable bonanza, 
only restricted to the need of horses and men to grasp it. He 
who could bring to his service the greatest number of horses and 
men obtained the most cattle. "Mavericking" was in its prime 
and the game lasted until all unidentified cattle were put under 
proprietorship. By this means many of our best known affluent 
citizens gained their wealth. Freed from the blight of war the 
cattle business began again to move forward. Young men re- 
turning from the war launched into the industry, providing the 
element necessary to its safe conduct. About this time the 
Trans-Continental Railroad had built out into Western Kansas, 
from the terminal points of which buyers came into this country 
and offeretl profitable prices for beef cattle. This instituted the 
practice of overland trailing to Kansas, which was kept 
up many years. Baxter Springs and Abiline are spoken of as 
points in Kansas w^hich were patronized. Well known trails were 
beaten out over which thousands of cattle were driven north- 
ward in spring and suiiimer and sold at an average price of S36.()0 
to $40.00 per head. 

The old Chisum trail crossing Red Riven- at Red River Station 
in Montagu^ County and thence up through the Ttn-ritory was a 
favorite route, but there were othcn's, continual changes being 
made in order to keep the trails in advance of the moving line of 
settlements which speedily destroyed pasturage necessary to the 
passing herds. 

The culmination of this phase of the industry came with the 
building of railroads approximate to the ranges and the end of 
this character of cattle business came in Wise County when the 
enthronging settlers pre-empted the ranges. 

HOME LIFE. 

We have seen that the early environment was such as to greatly 
tax the resourcefulness of the people. The bases of supply were 
remote and almost unreachable and the result was something 
a little short of home dependence. There w(n'e, however, 
certain articles of farm and household use brought in with a 



100 PIONEER HISTOEY OF WISE COUNTY. 

regularity, which, in this respect, distinguished the period from 
the restrictions of the war period which followed closely after. 
But even these few necessary articles, such as sugar, cofiee and 
one or two others, came at almost prohibitory prices, necessitat- 
ing occasionally the substitution of cane syrup and parched 
grains for the staples mentioned. A second burden was the 
meagre quantity of money in circulation, a condition as pro- 
ductive of annoyance of this kind as inflexibility of currency 
produces in financial circles. 

The problem was solved by a plan of home production, which, 
to us of this age of extravagance, is marvelous for its evidences of 
thrift, economy and independence. Encomiums could be 
written exalting the character of life which forced the making 
of all things consumed on the home place, and its results in 
training minds and hands and all related faculties. 

Luxuries had no place in the scheme of existence; the people 
became habituated to the successful conduct of their lives 
merely by the aid of absolute necessities, and beyond these, 
nothing else was expected or yearned fyr. It was a plain age 
subsisting on plain foods and appareled in plain clothes. Through 
it all contentment breathed in the home; each family resolved 
itself into a co-operative society, and each member contributed 
something to the welfare of the whole, and were merry and 
joyous at their appointed tasks. The mothers, upon whose 
untiring labor and skilled accomplishments the happiness of 
the household dei^ended, were trained to thrift and the business 
of home manufacture, leading busy and useful lives. 

Should now we turn to a glimpse of the inner aspects of the 
phase of life of which the housewife was the dominant factor, w(> 
will find her (should she have been a very early arrival) li\'ing in 
a square one-room house, built of rough hewn boards or logs, 
more commonly the latter. Probably th(>re will be two rooms 
with a hall between, and perhaps a shed room attached. No 
early home got beyond these dimensions. Frame houses were 
put togetherwith wooden pins, wire nails b(Mng a later invention. 

The floor would be the mother's pride; made of clean sand 
hauled from the creek, packed down and swept clean. A little 
later a puncheon floor would be substituted; this was made of 



HOME LIFE. 101 

split logs with the split side up. A stick and clay chimney stood 
at the end of the house and across the jam of the fireplace ran 
an iron bar from which was supsended a set of pot hooks on 
which the cooking vessels were hung. Close by stood a large oven 
for baking purposes. Thorough cooking was accomplished in 
this way. AVgetables from the garden and wild plants from 
the bottoms boiled and sinmiered for hours, and when done 
were highly palatable and appetizing. Corn-pone constituted 
the weekday bread, flour bread or biscuit, being reserved for 
Sunday or the visitation of the circuit rider. Despite the great 
economy with which both flour and meal were used, a shortage 
would sometmies occur and a ri>course to dried meats would be 
necessary. Fresh game constituted an important part of the 
daily diet. Buffalo, bear and deer meat were " cured " or 
" jerked " by a process of sundry ing which kept it sweet and 
wholesome for long spaces. 

In the absence of matches special care was taken to keep fire 
constantly burning on the premises. Coals w^n-e covered with 
ashes and stumps kept smouldering in the fields. All such pre- 
cautions would sometimes fail, and then the flint from the gun 
lock and powder and cotton would be brought into rec}uisition, 
a spark from the former being struck into the latter. 

Fruits also composed a considerable part of the diet, but only 
of the wild varieties, no factory prepared or cultivated fruits 
being obtainable. Plums, persinmions and fox grapes existed in 
abundance and were worked by the skilled housewives into 
various articles of foodstuffs, the ])ersimmons especially being 
subjected to different purposes. Dried in the sun, they made 
excellent substitutes for dried grapes or raisins; taken from the 
cane juice in which they were preserved, they made excellent 
pies, and the beverage made from them was delicious. Dried 
pumpkins was another reliable dependence for pastry. The 
soda, soap and starch of the household were ^11 of home pro- 
duction, the first the product of the evaporated lye- water secured 
from the ash-hopper ; the next, starch, being made from potatoes, 
and the soap being the residuum of meat scraps, bones and 
other constituents boiled down. 

Salt was obtained from the distant markets, but local sources 



102 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

of supply were available antl resorted to in cases of faiiiiiie; one 
such source was in Parker County whei'e the water in a certain 
well could be evaporated until salt crystals remained; another 
existed in a western county where, after long periods of dry 
weather, the water of certain lakes would evaporate and leave 
a salt deposit, which would be brought to the settlements in 
wagon loads. 

Axe-handles, plough beams, tables, chairs, cupboards and 
bedsteads were made by the head of the household from the 
best timber procurable in the forests, and on sad occasions it 
was necessary to make coffins before proper burial could occur. 

The home was artificially lighted with home-made tallow 
candles, made in every home where the proper moulds were in 
possession; a second means of light being to saturate a woolen 
string in lard oil and set ablaze. The illumination afforded 
assistance in reading the Dallas Herald or the Clarksville Stand- 
ard, the two best-known pioneer papers in circulation. 

The sun was the great time-keeper, few families having a 
clock. A great degree of accuracy was reached by some in 
judging time by the position of the sun : to others it was neces- 
sary to mark the slowly advancing shadow, and note at what 
point it arrived at certain hours. 

The one absorbing occupation of the women at evening was 
carding, spinning and weaving the products of the loom into 
cloth from which clothing was made for the entire family. 
Small flocks of sheep were kept for the wool product, from 
which the coarse outer garments were made ; for the finer and 
softer fabrics cotton was imported and made up, the clothing all 
being verv serviceable. A peculiar garment of the times was a 
shoulder blanket for outdoor wear, a woolen cloth with a hole in 
the center, through which the wearer's lu^ad protruded. Blankets 
and bed coverings were also woven. 

The men of this era wore quaint garbs whose art of making 
was learned from the Indians. A substantial costume consisting 
of coat and trousers was fashioned from buckskin, which, when 
supplemented with a fawn-skin vest and a coon-skin cap with 
tail left dangling behind, composetl an attire which made up in 
durability what was lacking in comfort and elegance. For more 



SOCIAL LIFE, AMUSEMENTS AND PLEASURES. 103 

formal occasions a homespun suit was in reserve. For shoes 
and gloves the settler again resorted to buckskin. 

Cotton growing anticipated the time of gins and factory 
looms, and it was necessary to pick the lint from the seed by 
hand, then came the dyeing and weaving process, when the cloth 
was ready to be made into the finished article. 

While resting from field work at noon, the men employed them- 
selves at plaiting straw, which the women afterwards sewed 
into shape for hats. The shoes for the gentler sex were made 
of heavy cloth uppers to which had been attached strong leather 
soles, held in shape by wooden pegs of home manufacture. The 
leather was obtained by an original process of tanning, the 
hides being obtained from both wild and tame animals. 

After a day's strenuous work the family retired early to beds 
generously supplied with feathers from the family geese; over 
the beds were spread elaborate and skilfully pieced covers, the 
products of " quiltings," one of the most popular social functions 
of the day. 

SOCIAL LIFE, AMUSEMENTS AND PLEASURES. 

One of the most wholesome traditions of the old settlers is 
that phase of their strictly social lives which has been bec[ueathed 
to modern times. The relationship between neighbors and 
strangers was warm and sympathetic, no aloofness nor chilling 
reserve obtaining a foothold, and nothing but open-hearted 
expressions tolerated. A distinguishing social custom, to 
which the majority was committed and which none dared ques- 
tion, was the regular system of hospitable visits which the people 
paid to each other. In the absence of vehicles, the custom was 
to ride horseback, and when a visit was made, its duration 
extended over several days, terminated only by household cares 
or work of the most pressing importance at home. In order to 
pay friendly calls, the people, should such be necessary, rode 
half across the county and sometimes into adjacent counties, 
the long rides training the women to horsemanship and effecting 
robust physical health. That which was discussed at such 
friendly gatherings can only be surmised. In the absence of 



104 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

newspapers, it may be assumed that all the county happenings 
were rehashed and new ways of doing things discussed. Such a 
state of happy familiarity is one of the pleasant retrospects 
of the living pioneers. 

Another incident of the social life was the frequency with 
which families were called upon to provide shelter and enter- 
tainment for the roving bands of care free cowboys, who at 
nightfall, sought the nearest habitation of whatever region they 
happened to occupy, for the social cheer and conversation which 
followed. The cowboys, perennialy cheery and jovial, were 
always welcome guests, and more than one settler's fair daughter 
dated the loss of her heart from visitations of this kind. 

For a quarter of a century Wise County was a theatre of 
romantic and dramatic action in which there was more of pathos 
than of play, but there remain traces of enough of the ktter 
to prove the people possessed of a normal love of pleasure which 
is reassuring of their sanity and optimism of spirit. Pursuing 
strenuous lives largely out of doors, a robust kind of sport was 
essential to their animated natures, and this they found in some 
practices and diversions which hav{> not been transferred to 
the present time. 

One of the practices was horse racing which was prosecuted 
on several well-known tracks in the vicinity of the county seat, 
and farther out. A well-known track lay over the flat sweep of 
ground in the north east part of Decatur before houses were 
erected thereon ; a second existed beyond the Baptist College in 
the Halsell Valley ; another one was built about a mile southeast 
of Decatur where now the F. W. & D. Ry. track is built; a well- 
known fourth track was laid out in Sandy Creek bottom in the 
neighborhood of the crossing of the Bridgeport road. Many 
well-known and well-remembered horses tried their speed on 
these tracks. 

Racing was the. most virile sport of th(^ day, and a large part 
of the citizenship indulged in it. All days on which large crowds 
congregated, such as Saturdays, and " first Mondays," or stray 
sale day, had their regular race meet, a program for which had 
been prepared beforehand. This schedule promised usually 
not more than one or two chief events, but once the crowd was 



SOCIAL LIFI<:, AMUSEMENTS AND PLEASURES. 105 

on the ground, race after race would be run until the speed 
qualities of all the aspiring horses of the county would be tested 
and ascertained. The betting ranged from barlow knives to 
large sums of money, taking in hogs, cattle, land, and all material 
possessions on the way. 

The race spirit has long since died out but for many years it 
retained a hold on the sport loving element of the people, for 
whom it had undeniable charms. It is not connnendatory of the 
sport to say that it was provocative of the first man-slaughter 
that occurred in the history of Decatur. 

Card playing was another indulgence which was not regarded 
as specifically innnoral l^y a large number of the masculine gender 
who found the game of poker agreeable for passing away the time. 

These were the days in which the old fashioned barbecues had 
their inception and when they were most religiously attended. 
Upon these occasions aspiring orators and office-seekers an- 
nounced the political views and doctrines then in vogue and 
which became the faiths and opinions of the hearers. Another 
inevitable accompaniment of these festivities was dancing. A 
platform was arranged and the swains danced to their hearts' 
content by paying a small fee for each set engaged in. The old 
style square dances were in vogue and the old times like ''Arkan- 
sas Traveler," "Champagne CharHe," "Bill in the low ground," 
etc., were the only ones known. The fiddler was noted for his 
qualities of endurance and was much in demand on these occa- 
sions. 

Dancing however, was not confined to the barbecues. It was 
practiced at all celebrations like weddings and other entertain- 
ments and indulged in in many of the homes where no religious 
scruples interfered. 

"Play Parties," "Candy Pullings" "Singings" were other 
forms of pioneer amusement upon which all the gallants of the 
country attended. Customarily the belle rode behind the beau, 
who sat upon his best and gentlest horse. At the parties "weav- 
ily wheat" and "blind man's buff" were favorite games and at 
the singings the old "do-ra-me" style of singing was engaged in 
with serious and earnest intent. 

"Quilting" and "house-raising" were two remaining social 



106 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 




RAN VEASY ("OLD RAN.' 



SOCIAL LIFE, AMUSEMENTS AND PLEASURES. 107 

functions which brought the people together in bonds of intimacy 
and kept a glow of good feeling alive among them. The average 
pioneer family matle itself a martyr to the comfort and pleasure 
of its guests, numbers and frequency of visit counting for naught. 
Self-sacrifice and self-effacement were stoically practiced. Cour- 
tesy and thoughtfulness were taught the children, and among 
the remnants of the old home life the effects of this noble training 
are yet visible. Pen is powerless to describe the profound appeal 
which is made to the appreciations of those who reverence acts 
of pure human kindness and love and the bestowal of humble 
thoughtfulness, such as distinguished the dead of the far period 
and distinguishes the few living pioneers of the present. 



CHAPTER XL 
Summing up First Period. 

The first six years of settleinent were uneventful. No inter- 
ruption nor obstacles than those inherent in the situation inter- 
vened to prevent the peaceful solution of the preliminary 
problems. But at the end of that time a violent change took 
place, the character and effect of which will constitute the theme 
of the next section. But before passing to that it is pertinent to 
glance briefly at the general conditions prevailing at the time the 
county passed from the state of tranquil repose into one of 
violence and turbulence. 

In the years 1859 and 1860 which mark the change in condi- 
tions, life in the county was becoming more varied and abundant; 
the period of drouth had been successfully weathered and immi- 
gration resumed; but no roads or bridges had been built and the 
county still remained almost the outpost of western civilization. 

The statistics of the Texas Almanac for the time will be studied 
with interest. The population of the surrounding counties was : 
Cooke, 175; Denton, 1867; Parker, 630; Wise, 357. Land values 
estimated, $3.00 to $8.00 per acre for improved land and 50 cents 
to $3.00, unimproved. 

Wise County renditions; 40 negro slaves, valued, $23,230.00; 
345 horses, $19,800.00; 2792 cattle, $12,460.00. The census 
gave 370 white people over the age of 18. 

Statistics for 1859: acres land rendered 53,438, $118,965.00; 
negroes, 75, $47,850.00; horses, 2087, $90,229.00; cattle, 11,860, 
$74,152.00. miscellaneous, $26,266.00; aggregate, $365,660.00; 
advalorem tax collected, $460.00; poll tax, $183.00. The figures 
for this year reveal a rapid augmentation in values. 

The advalorem tax rate of 1858 was 12 J cents; the poll rate 
50 cents; the average vote 270. 

In 1858 the Overland Southern Pacific Mail Route was estab- 
lished by the general government. This was a line of stage and 
mail coaches establishing communication between the east and 
(108) 



SUMMING UP FIRST PERIOD. 109 

• 

the Pacific Coast, and was better known as the Butterfield Stage 
Line. It furnished the only means of transportation between the 
east and the west until superseded at a later date by the trans- 
continental railroads. In passing through Wise County it 
touched originally at a point above Alvord, but at the instigation 
of Colonel Hunt and a party of Decaturites, the route was 
changed so as to pass through Decatur, where it permanently 
remained until suspended at the commencement of the war. 
In obedience to the obligation imposed by the government 
before it would consent to change the route, the county seat 
authorities opened up a traversible road to the Jack County 
line and put secure bridges across Sandy Creek and West Fork 
River. 

Three stage stations, the first at Brandons on Denton Creek, 
the next at Decatur and the third near old Bridgeport enabled 
the stages to make easy and convenient progress through the 
county. The stage was due to arrive at Decatur at midnight 
where it deposited mail and occasional passengers at Bishop's 
store, whence exchanges of teams and drivers were made and 
the stage continued on its route to California. The coach itself 
was a great lumbering affair, swinging on leather straps from 
side to side; in all details it was patterned after the old Concord 
style. When first established the best of horses were used for 
motive power, but later, when the Indians grew troublesome 
small, fleet-footed mules were put on all divisions west of Decatur. 

The stage route, with its equipments, was typically [picturesque 
of the times, providing that feature of western life which has 
found extensive description in exciting tales of robbery and 
Indian attack, and whose history is mixed with the romantic 
legends of the settlement of the ^^^est. 

The approach of a stage to a stand was announced by the 
sounding of a long note on a bugle. Imagine the sleepy little 
village of Decatur being aroused from its midnight dreams by 
the shrill and alarming notes of the bugle coming from the far 
ravines and hilltops. 

At the very last of this period the county was granted author- 
ity by the legislature to vote a special tax with which to build a 
court house. The contract was let to Joe Head in ISfiO or 1861 



110 PIONEER HISTORY OF AVISE COUNTY. 

for the erection of a square five room building to be set in the 
middle of the public plaza at Decatur. The dimensions were 
forty feet each way with halls running through north. and south, 
east and west, cutting the lower floor into four corner rooms, the 
top being arranged entire for a court room. A carpenter and 
w^oodworkman by the name of Johnson Miller, a bachelor, origi- 
nally from Michigan, afterwards killed by the Indians, was the 
principal workman on this, th(^ county's first real temple of 
justice. 

The lumber for this old building which became so generally 



I 



i i .. ■ ^«= 



WISE COUNTY S FIRST REAL COURT HOUSE. 
(Built in 1860 or 1861 — Stood in Middle of Public Square.) 

useful and revered, was brought from Wood County at an expense 
of STO.OO per thousand feet. The heavy frame timber was cut in 
West Fork bottom. 

The surplus of office room left some to be occupied by lawyers 
and other concerns. The first photograph gallery was opened up 
here as well as the first newspaper. 

The old court house became the scene of many spectacular 
events and incid(>nts and was burned under suspicious circum- 
stances on the night of November 2()th, 1881. 

The dreamy period of pioneer tranquility oxcv which we have 



SUMMING UP FIRST PERIOD. Ill 

been passing was brought to a violent close in the year 1859 by 
a series of atrocious murtlers connnitted by the Indians in Jack 
and Parker Counties, crimes perpetrated in regions so close as to 
send a shudder of excitement and fear careering throughout the 
confines of Wise County. 

Following on the heels of these came the Civil War in 1S()1, the 
local phases and application of which will constitute {hv next 
section of this record. 

As relates to Wise County the War and IntUan depredations 
were contemporaneous in their beginning, resulting in this 
county and others of the frontier being brought to live through 
a prolonged period during which two exterior foes waged a 
merciless warfare. 

The period during which savage attacks were in vogue out- 
lasted by many years the few years of the continuation of the 
Civil War, and for this reason has been reserved for treatment 
in a section following the description of the local war phases and 
features, the separation being made in the interest of clarity and 
fullness of description. 

A clear comprehension of the life of the two following epochs 
cannot be gained without the imagination being invoked. From 
hence on life grows lurid and electric, the peaceful hills and vales 
are waked with the echoing tread of war and invasion and the 
even tenor is jarred into a revolutionary state, whereunder prior 
affairs and problems are forgot and issues of giant and terrific 
proportions arise in their place. Cold type cannot portray the 
fearful agony of the times which ensued; is impotent as an in- 
strument to convey in realistic colors the lurid picture which a 
seemingly unpiteous fate drew on this far background. There- 
fore let the seeing faculty behind the eyes penetrate into the 
depths of the cold facts here related and visualize the conditions 
in all the sad horrors of their truth. 



SECTION TWO. 



WAR PERIOD. 



Introductory Statemf.xt. 

The fates designed Wise County to enjoy only half a tlozen 
years of peaceful life and progress, at the end of which time 
the smoking and rumbling volcano of political disturbance burst 
suddenly forth into the fury of war. 

By taking up the trend of general events in the year of 1855, 
we shall see that Texas, at that date, was sharing in the titanic 
political struggle then in a state of violent fermentation over 
the nation. 

Repeated encroachments on the institution of slavery by the 
abolitionists who dominated Congress, had aroused the people 
of the South to such degrees of anger as to make war within a 
few years the inevitable consequence. The Missouri Compromise 
had been revoked and the Kansas and Nebraska bill of Senator 
Douglas substituted in its stead. Confirming the right of 
slave-holders to innnigrate to free territories with the right of 
slave possession remaining inviolate, the policy had the effect of 
allaying for a while the fears and excitement of the Southern 
people. Texas went on record regarding this as a question 
" fully settled " but evinced further, that any appeal or modifica- 
tion of the Kansas-Nebraska act would be looked upon by her 
as "an invasion of the true spirit of the constitution of the 
United States, as sectional in its character and as a just cause 
of alarm." 

Thus, at the beginning of the settlement of Wise County, 
Texas, through her legislature, was citing " just causes of 
alarm," a circumstance so vast and portentuous as to augur 
much future evil for the striving new community, which, in- 
opportun(4v (»nough, had laid its foundations under that micl- 
(112) " 



INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT. 113 

century mountain of fire down whose sides was to pour a pro- 
longed and destructive' flame. Events march on until the 
seething strife in Kansas and John Brown's raid again rend the 
country and prize apart the ever-widening chasm between .the 
North and South. Southern fear of Congress and the continued 
aggressions of the abolitionists now grew to a state of panic, 
during which crucial hour in 1859, South Carolina confirmed the 
right of secession and invited a conference of the remaining 
Southern States. In Texas, Gen. Sam. Houston, the pacificator, 
advised against the state's participating in the conference, but 
was overruled by the secessionists who at the same time declared 
for organized resistance, if necessary, against northern aggression. 

National feeling was now at the fever point. The disruption 
of the Democratic party and the election of Lincoln followed in 
•1860. The North had gained political ascendency over the 
nation and the South answered by taking steps to secede. 
Within two months all the states of the South east of the Missis- 
sippi had cut the tic that bound them to Federal union. Texas, 
with a delegated convention voicing her desires, followed in 
1861, and on Fel^ruary 23, of that year, the people endorsed 
the decision of the convention at the polls. 

In March the votes were counted, and a majority having been 
found in favor of disunion, the state was declared seceded. 

Inasmuch as the Civil War and the Indian depredations had 
concurrent beginnings in Wise County, it might have been 
thought consistent to admit both to simultaneous treatment, 
but such a plan would result in much undesirable confusion of 
subject and statement, and is therefore not adopted. It is neces- 
sary, however, to review in connection with the war events that 
phase of military action, which is strictly a part of the Indian 
periotl, l^ut which has connection with the military organiza- 
tion of the Confederacy by reason of its alignment with the 
latter, and of the jurisdiction which the Confederate govern- 
ment held over it. Outside of this particular detail the fol- 
lowing chapters will ignore the savage incursions which the 
reader will do well to bear in mind are occurring sinudtaneously 
with the progress of the war. 

8 



CHAPTER I. 

Local Attitude Towards the Issues of the War. 

Considering the scarce population and its freedom and re- 
moteness from the provocation that brought on the conflict, it 
is hardly conceivable that any unusual and general degree of 
martial feeling and spirit was evinced by the people here." No 
record of any fact or circumstance remains to confirm a contrary 
opinion. Should the population have been larger, there would 
without question have been much surging action and manifesta- 
tion of high loyal spirit. But the sum total of visible action 
and feeling was diminished in consequence of the paucity of. 
numbers. There was much individual partiotism displayed, a 
case in point having been revealed in the first official notice 
which Wise County took of the War and the issues at stake. 
This took form in the manner of a mass convention which met 
at Decatur to deliberate on the (juestion of sending a delegation 
from the county to the state convention which was to decide the 
course of the state in the secession movement. 

All the prominent men of the county were at Decatur that day 
to participate in the meeting, and the people were nuich stirred 
up over the ends in view. Prominent among the citizens who 
addressed the meeting were Colonel Bishop and Colonel A. H. 
Shoemaker, both of whom were what are called "fiery rebels," 
meaning extroardinarily zealous for the Confederate cause. Each 
eloquently and persuasively championed the standpoint of the 
South and urged and implorcnl the convention to send delegates 
to participate in the state conventions which was known to be 
committed to the policy of secession. The result was a general 
concurrence in their views and an ultimate participation in the 
deliberations of the Convention by Wise County. 

Other instances of individual enthusiasm came to notice after 

the military organization of the state was well under way and 

volunteers had been called for. The clarion call to arms generated 

fighting spirit and patriotic ardor in every breast, as will be re- 

(114) 



LOCAL ATTITUDE TOWARD ISSUES OF WAR. 115 

vealed when the rush to join local companies is described. But on 
the whole Wise County was without those near incitements which 
aided to precipitate the struggle elsewhere. Her slave population 
was no appreciable factor and there was no general reliance on 
that kind of labor in farm work. Consequently the danger that 
threatened those interests was not so strongly realized nor re- 
sented here. But she could find common ground with her sister 
counties of the South in resenting any infringement on that in- 
violable Southern and Democratic principle — State Rights. Here 
she clasped hands with them and from the beginning to the end 
braved the contest. Wise County was impelled to action in the 
war by the impulses of the heart. The same blood that gave life 
to the Southern people was the vital element in her own veins. 
The same traditions and institutions which the people of the 
South revered were those which she had been taught to love and 
honor, and the same bewildering swiftness with which the South- 
ern people arose to defend its institutions found its count(>rpart 
in the people of Wise County, who were by birth, blood and 
habitation, Southern people. 



CHAPTER II. 

Military Organization. 

Following the secession of Texas the Federal troops were with- 
drawn from the frontier posts, leaving the settlements exposed 
to Indian attacks and putting an urgent need upon the state to 
supply the frontier with a larger protective force. Simultaneous- 
ly the state was called upon to raise a quantum of troops for 
service in the Confederate Army, said troops being surrendered 
to the Confederacy as fast as they recruited and organized. 
Thus on the frontier the state was confronted with a dual state 
of military necessity, that of defense against invasions by Federal 
troops and the protection of the frontier from Indian depreda- 
tion. Both these needs were encompassed b}^ one general mili- 
tary organization, perfected under the regulations of the Con- 
federate Army but officered and manned by state volunteers. 
The state reserved the privilege of retaining a sufficient number 
of troops on the frontier to guarantee effectual protection to the 
people there. Colonel Henry E. McCullough was the first Con- 
federate officer to occupy with the Confederate guards the posts 
recently abandoned by the Northern troops. The State had 
authorized the raising of ten cavalry companies which were dis- 
tributed under Colonel McCullough at posts twenty-five miles 
apart along the frontier from Red River to the Rio Grande, with 
a daily routine of scouting from one to the other required. 

This regiment was primarily recruited for protection against 
the Indians, but being under Confederate jurisdiction was re- 
quired to perform any service for that authority demanded, with 
the exception of vacating the frontier. 

Indian attacks at this time were growing numerous and in addi- 
tion to the above provisions, the governor authorizetl the raising 
of home militia companies, or minute men, as a home protective 
guartl, which were also placed under Confederate regulations. 
These small detachments performed meritorious service in spread- 
ing alarm, giving chase after Indians and recapturing stolen 
(110) 



MILITARY ORCxANIZATIOX. 117 

stock. They wore in an instant state of n^ailincvss to go where 
needed, and it is due to their heroic energies that Wise County 
did not become a slaughtering pen during the long period of 
Indian warfare. Most all able bodied citizens belonged to these 
companies, the latter being distributed about the various parts of 
the county. There was no attempt to keep in assembled order 
and only an Indian alarm or raitl would bring the individual 
members to the point of concentration. 

On moonlight nights, the accustomed time of savage incur- 
sions, the minute companies would patrol the county, going to 
and fro between beats which system kept the county thoroughly 
guarded. When the Confederate establishment took command a 
different mode of procedure was adopted. An arsenal and mili- 
tary headquarters were established at Decatur and placed in 
command of an Adjutant in the Confederate service. Each of 
the militia companies was required to furnish a detail of ten men 
to serve ten days at the post at Decatur, and the several com- 
panies, by alternating every ten days managed to keep a force 
of about 100 men camped about the county seat throughout the 
war. Some organizers and Captains of local militia were Ben 
Crews, Deep Creek; Tom Allen, Black Creek; Dick Rieger; 
George Stevens; J. B. Earhart; Ira Long and Jim Hanks. 

CONFEDERATE STATE MILITARY ORGANIZATION. 

In December, 1861, the Texas Legislature passed a general act, 
looking to organizing the state forces on a war footing. Thirty- 
three brigade districts were provided for with a Brigadier-Gen- 
eral in command in each. Wise County fell in district number one, 
with Cooke, Denton, Jack, Montague and thirt(X'n other western 
counties included. Brigadier-General Wm. J. Hudson, with 
headquarters at Gainesville, was placed in connnand of this 
district, his staff officers being a Brigade Major, an Adjutant and 
an Inspector General. 

The troops in each district were divided into companies, 
battalions, regiments and brigades. The recruiting of compa- 
nies in the several counties was placed in charge of the Justices of 
the Peace, who acted as enrolling officers. All citizens eligible 



118 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

to military se^rvice were required to accept service either in one 
of the two defensive forces, the Confederate Army or the home 
mihtia. 

Organization of companies and election of officers followed. 
The company captains were required to assemble their companies 
every two weeks for drill in tactics, i)ending the time of their 
being ordered into active service. The captains were also autho- 
rized to compel the enrollment of all persons in their beats sub- 
ject to military duty. This general plan of organization was 
followed whenever feasible, but variations therefrom are noted. 
There was nuich undisciplined material at hand and in most cases 
the organizing officers proceeded as best they could. Thus we 
see in Wise County that Captain John W. Hale, a private citizen, 
and an ex-sheriff, was put in charge of the preliminary organizing 
measures. As chief enrolling officer he ranked as adjutant and 
established headquarters at Decatur. 

Following Captain Hale came General Wm. Quaile, the first regu- 
lar military officer to be sent here to assume command of the 
post and of the military detachment belonging to it. General 
Quaile's successors in line were the noted Indian fighter, Buck 
Berry; General Throckmorton, afterwards elected governor, and 
at the close of the war. Colonel George B. Pickett, of Wise County, 
was in command. General Throckmorton ranked higher in the 
Confederate service than his assignment at Decatur would indi- 
cate ; Colonel Pickett had also gained high honors and both offi- 
cials had been retained here for various important purposes, one 
of which was to gain recruits for the general service. 

Decatur was a genuine military post throughout the war, with 
much activity in process over the district under its jurisdiction. 

The Howell and Allen Store was converted into an arsenal and 
headquarters where stores and annnunition were kept and where 
a military clerk was ensconsed. G(>neral Throckmorton had 
offices in this building during the year of his assignment at Deca- 
tur. 

The Confederate scheme of organization called for a war tax 
assessor and colk^ctor and Charles D. Gates, a clerk in Bishop's 
store at Decatur, was appointed to this trying position. The 
district over which he had jurisdiction comprised ten counties, 



CONFEDERATE STATE MILITARY ORGANIZATION. 119 

and besides the physical dangers which were encountered, there 
was another arising from exposure to Indian attacks, and still 
another from the hatred and animosity of the Union sympathizers 
who were forced to contribute tax money to the Confederate 
government. The duties of the office necessitated long, perilous 
rides into western counties, the most distant one being Wil- 
barger, and other long trips a-horse-back to the capital at Austin 
where large sums of money were deposited. 
1 ■ Incidental to the duties of watchmen of the frontier the home 
companies were required to perform local Confederate service 
whenever necessary. For instance it fell to their lot to act as 
mounted police with obligation to arrest suspicious characters, 
and those who had deserted the fighting ranks and returned 
home, as well as to* apprehend those who were fleeing from con- 
scription service. 



CHAPTER III. 

Raising Companies for Confederate Service. 

With the call for volunteers the enthusiasm and excitement 
grew intense, with genuine patriotism and loyalty becoming 
manifest. Also there was much bluster and swashbuckling on 
the part of a portion of the younger male generation who looked 
on the chastisement of the North as hardly more than a break- 
fast spell. Others of maturer thought deprecated the great crisis 
and were beset at heart with gloomy forebodings. Colonel 
Bishop and Captain Shoemaker, the advising factors of the com- 
munity, in this detail, continued to contribute their stimulating 
and inspiring suggestions which, when combined with other in- 
fluences, induced a scramble for enrollment when the opportunity 
for that act presented itself. 

Captain A. H. Shoemaker led off by raising a company of 104 
robust young men, all eager to get into service. Following the 
election of officers in which Captain Shoemaker was appointed to 
his place and J. D. White, then a prominent young school teacher, 
was made First Lieutenant, a big barbecue was held at Isbell 
Springs, near the present Greathouse farm. The company, as the 
honored guests, attended dressed in such military costumes as 
could be speedily devised, and bearing such arms as could be 
raked and scraped in the community. Undoubtedly the members 
were the fighting heroes of the hour, but on that day they 
needed reinforcements and furloughs to withstand the bom- 
bardment of patriotic oratory which was directed at them from 
the stump. 

The program for the day included the inevitable reading of the 
Declaration of Indejiendence by Colonel Bishop, a thing which 
the latter did wherever and whenever he found two or three 
gathered together. Other events were the parading and drilling 
of the company and the presentation of a new Confetlei"ate flag. 
It was an auspicious da}^ when the people had'come together to 
make public profession of their loyalty to the cause. 
(120) 



RAISING COMPANIES FOR CONFEDERATE SERVICE. 121 

Because the recruiting of Captain Shoemaker's company had 
anticipated the general organization of the state's forces, there 
was no place to which the company could be assigned, and the 
company drifted into gradual tlisbandment, but not until 
Captain Shoemaker had sought to get into service. 

The second company was raised by Colonel George B. Pickett, 
in the summer of 1861, and was successful in being received into 
the general ranks which, by this time had been organized. 

In his most amusing and instructive book, "Chapters from the 
Unwritten History of the War," Colonel R. M. Collins describes 
the history of this company from its beginning. The quoted 
sections of the following statements are from Colonel Collins: 
"Colonel Pickett came to raise the company and all commenced 
rushing to and fro getting things in shape to enlist, to go to the 
wars and get honor, glory and some immortality. The day was set 
Saturday for the enrolling of names and organization of the com- 
pany, and in they came on their little finger-tailed, frosty necked, 
calico, Spanish ponies, all clamoring to get into the Cavalry 
service." 

A company of 100 men was made up, George B. Pickett was 
elected captain, Tom Robertson, W. A. King and F. J. Barrett, 
1st, 2nd and 3rd lieutenants. Of the non-conmiissioned officers 
Colonel Collins only remembers "a big red-headed fellow named 
G. W. Rodgers, a school teacher, who was made orderly sergeant." 

"After the organization and lots of Dexter's best had been put 
under their jackets, the rest of the day was put in in Cavalry 
movements round and round the public square." 

"While the comi)any was made up of a very nice lot of young 
men, boys, and middle aged men, it did not strike us as having 
the appearance of N. Bonaparte's 'Old Guard.' " 

"After the organization of our company, until the order to 
march was received, all hands were busy getting things in shape 
to take the field, and the people either from pure patriotism or 
from fear of the consequences of resistance, opened their doors 
to the boys. Merchants piled out their clothing, hats, boots and 
shoes, and men owning herds of horses were willing to give them 
up, so that it was only a few days until the boys were mounted. 
The martial spirit seemed to have drowned out all other spirits, 



122 PIONEER HISTORY OF. WISE COUNTY. 

except Dexter's best. Music was in the air, every young lady in 
town and country was warbling 'Bonnie Blue Flag/ 'Dixie' and 
the 'Secession Wagon' as sweetly as mocking birds." 

"As to arms to fight with, the variety in kind, caliber and 
equality is beyond our power of description. Some had single 
barrelled shot guns, some had squirrel-rifles and some had old 
buck and ball muskets. In one thing only were all armed alike, 
and that was with big knives. These were made for us by the 
blacksmiths out of old scythe-blades, ploughshares, cross-cut 
saws, or anything else that could be had. The blade was from 
two to three feet in length and ground as sharp as could be. The 
scabbards for the great knives were, as a rule, made of rawhide 
with the hairy side out, and were worn on the belt like a sword, 
and doubtless many trees over in Arkansas, know to this clay the 
marks of these knives, for we used to mount our ponies and gallop 
through the thickets, cutting the tops from young pine tr(>es, 
practising so that we could lift the heads off the Yankees, artisti- 
cally, as soon as we could catch up with them." 

The names of some of the company follow, others cannot be 
recalled: Chris Gose, P. P. R. Collum, G. B. Pickett, R. M. Col- 
lins, W. A. King, Wm. Bryant, Allen Bryant, Add, Dais 
and Bob Anderson, Wm. Cook, Tom Mount, Frank Cook, 
Wm. Burress, Tom Prunty, Tom Moffat, Perry and George Mills, 
Tom Taylor, Tom Cartwright, S. M. Gose, John Waggoner, H. H. 
Wilton, J. P. Fullingim, George Ross, Lem Cartwright, W. H. H. 
Bradford, George Cartwright, Frank Miller, Newt Millholland, 
Wm. Derrick, Jim Hardin, Dick Edmunson, Sol Reed, Scot Reed, 
Green Penington, Marvin Isbell, Dutch Waggoner, Bob Gaston, 
Dan Cryar, Tom Barnett, Henry McKinney, Tom Roberson, F. 
J. Barrett, Wm. and High Anderson, John Thomas, Milton Shoe- 
maker, G. W. Rodgers, I. W. King, Tom Davenport, Tom Lipsey, 
Jack Hart, Eph Lux, John Wasson, Dr. Thomas Stuart, Joe Crin- 
er, Riley Howard, Dick Payne, Fred Mount, ToniGrider, Lee 
Crutchfield, Henry Mershon, Bill Priddy, Dude, George and H. 
H. Gaines. 

Captain Ed Blythe raised the third company in 1862. The 
historical details of this company are unobtainable, but it is 
known that it contained the requisite number of men, and that 



RAISING COMPANIES FOR CONFEDERATE SERVICE. 123 

Thomas Halsell was a Lieutenant; also that the company re- 
mained in the thick of the fight throughout the war, doing valiant 
service in Louisiana, where, at Pleasant Grove and Mansfield, it 
assisted in keeping General Bragg's army from invading Texas. 

The county was rapidly sending men to the front. Besides 
the regular companies which were being raised and sent away 
therg were individuals and small squads leaving to join companies 
under recruit in contiguous counties. The whole of Wise Coun- 
ty's male population was rapidly getting into service, either ab- 
sorbed by the home militia or the ranks of the Confederacy. 
The heart rending anguish and hardships of Wise County mothers 
and sisters of that period can never be measured or appreciated 
at their true status. 

The organizations named above had all been recruited from 
those of eligible age and condition, from the vicinity of the county 
seat, but in all probability there had come numerous members 
from the several sections of the county. One whole company 
was raised in the vicinity of Prairie Point. This, the fourth, of 
the full regular detachments, which Wise County had contributed 
to the Confederate cause, was organized through the efforts of 
ex-sheriff Ben Earp. Captain Charles C. Thompson soon after- 
wards was elected to connnand this company, and from him the 
following partial list of names of the old muster-roll is obtained : 

John McClure, cjuarter-master, John Morris, Logue Teague, 
John Teague, Ben Burdick, Bill Tully, George Ball, Henry Pat- 
ton, Bill Crews, C. C. Thompson, Sam Woody, Mat Walker, Bill 
Mann, Jake Mann, — • Broadstreet, Jim Brooks, 3rd Lieutenant, 
Brice Mann, John Peak, Sam Oats, Nick Haney, Frank Case, 
Steve Sweeney, Earney Curtner, John Gibbs, Harvey Young- 
blood, Jim Youngblood, Joe Barnes, Jim Sprowles, Kale Hal- 
comb, T. D. Stephens, S. M. Stephens, George Guinn, Tom Ver- 
non, Talse Burress, Mansfield Burress,. Curran Stephens, Cap 
Stephens, John Montgomery, Ben Jones, "Bloody" Loftus, Bill 
Weathers, Jim Pointer, BillBlanton, Jim Blanton, Bill Plumley, 
Press Plumley, Dennis Plumley, John Berry, John Mathews, 
Tan Miller, George Miller, Abe Thomas, Dink Walker, Bill Shaw, 
Jim Earp, John Shaw, Tom Smith, Fine Earnest, John Earn- 
est, Ed Simpson, C. C. Leonard, EHas Pitt and Duck Clampitt. 



124 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

At the first election officers were named as follows : Ben Earp, 
Captain; Jim Earp, 1st Lieutenant; C.C. Thompson, 2nd Lieuten- 
ant; C.C. Leonard, Orderly Sergeant; Bob Walker, 2nd Sergeant. 

The company repaired to Clarksville, where Captain Earp 
resigned and returned home, being succeeded by Captain Thomp- 
son. At Clarksville the company was designated as Company E, 
and combined with the 23rd Texas Cavalry, which soon marched 
to Houston. In the fall of 1862, the entire command was ordered 
into the campaign in Louisiana, where at that time, the Federal 
forces were attempting to invade Texas. General Bragg was 
successfully repulsed in many hot encounters, no small part of 
the defense being done by Company E of the 23rd Texas. Cap- 
tain Thompson, a brave and doughty Confederate officer, was 
wounded in the first encounter, but was soon restored to fighting 
trim. The first fatality occurred in the death of Sam Oats, this, 
in one of the river battles, while the poorly equipped rebel forces 
were fighting the Yankee gun boats with their "fists".* 

Although this brave band of Wise County soldiers found 
plenty of hard fighting in Arkansas and Louisiana, the men 
were at all times anxious to get across the Mississippi, where the 
campaign was being fought out on still larger lines. But in the 
region to which they were confined they acquitted themselves 
nobly. Many were killed and wounded, many died from sickness 
and inattention, and not the greater portion returned home at 
Lee's surrender. 

Returning for a short resume of Colonel Pickett's company we 
find them on March 1, 1862, with orders to report at Dallas, then 
after some weeks at McKinney where the 15th Texas cavalry 
was organized, finally at Clarksville and into Camp McKnight. 
In the re-organization at Clarksville, Captain Pickett was elected 
Major of the loth Texas Regiment and Flavious J. Barrett was 
promoted to the captaincy of the Wise County Company. 

Clarksville at that time was the mobilizing point of the north 
Texas troops and here an army of 6,000 men had been collected. 
On April 10, ortlers were received to proceed, via Arkansas, to 
Corinth, Miss. After a trying journey the large detachment 



* The quotation is from Captain Thompson. 



RAISING COMPANIES FOR CONFEDERATE SERVICE. 125 

reached Little Rock and went into camps, where soon an epi- 
demic of measles broke out, with a supply, according to Colonel 
Collins, "sufficient to go round." A second reorganization 
occurred here and Major Pickett was advanced to Lieutenant 
Colonel; W. C. Burress and R. M. Collins were made lieutenants 
of the Wise County contingent. Fighting occurred towards 
Batesville in June. A sharp affray took place at Arkansas Post 
on January 11, 1S63, and 3000 Confederate troops were forced to 
surrender to the Federal Army, among them being the Wise 
County company. Confinement followed later in the Federal de- 
tention post at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, and later at Camp 
Douglas, Chicago, where two of the company, Allen Bryant and H. 
H. Wilton died from exposures. The fragments of the little band 
of patriots were exchanged and sent to the far south-east where 
they soon joined the Tennessee army and engaged in a number 
of historic battles. Colonel R. M. Collins, Perry Collum, Jess 
Fullinghim and Chris Gose are remembered to have campaigned 
in the south-east. In one of the Cumberland Ridge battles, J. 
P. Fullinghim had the misfortune to loose an eye, a deplorable 
consecjuence of the aimless flight of a spent minnie ball. 

Colonel Pickett had not accompanied the troops beyond Little 
Rock and was thus preserved from capture. While the troops 
yet remained at Little Rock the Confederate order exempting 
many of certain ages from further service was issued. These 
exemptions created a hiatus in the ranks and numerous high 
officers were detailed to return to their resi^ective homes to ob- 
tain recruits. Colonel Pickett had returned to Wise Coimty for 
this purpose, and it was while here that the unfortunate result 
occurred at Arkansas Post. 

The fifth and last large company was recruited and sent to the 
front from Decatur by Colonel Pickett, but it has not been possible 
to secure either a complete or a partial list of the names of the 
members of this company. 

For an amusing and instructive history in detail of the check- 
ered career of the next to last mentioned band of patriotic Wise 
County soldiers in the Civil War, any interested persons are 
recommended to Colonel R. M. Collins' genuinely entertaining 
book, the title of which has been given. 



126 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

Out of a voting population of about 700, upwards of 400 had 
sought service in the Confederate Army, with only a paltry few 
left to stand guard against the Indians. Judged according to 
these arithmetical calculations, it can be seen at a glance what 
the quality of the bravery and the patriotism of the men and 
women of the pioneer period really amounted to. And taken in 
connection with the statement that Wise County furnished a 
comparatively unequaled number of beef cattle to the Confeder- 
ate armies, it is seen that Wise County's full share of the burdens 
of the fateful war were gloriously sustained. All honor to the 
brave men and women who were responsible for so illustrious an 
achievement. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Changes and Conditions Incident to War Briefly 

Noted. 

Although this frontier was far removed from the actual track of 
fighting and, on that account, free from the devastations pecu- 
liar to that inhuman exhibition, the middle and later stages of 
the war had not been reached before a revolutionizing reaction 
set in, bringing all progress to a standstill. A monotonous vac- 
uity and stillness, superinduced by an almost complete abandon- 
ment of the border, chiefly characterized the ef!"ects of the huge 
civil struggle here. 

However far the extremities of the body may lie from the vital 
organs that give them animation and life, the disaster that dis- 
turbs the latter produces a corresponding effect in all related 
parts. Such a figure may illustrate the situation on the frontier 
as affected by the distant strife. One of the first effects encount- 
ered was that incidental to the blockading of the Southern ports 
against commerce upon the sea. Dependent as the frontier was 
on such ports for a large portion of its essential supplies, the re- 
sult of the embargoes laid on the source from which they were 
obtained, superinduced a great scarcity throughout the settle- 
ments. Essential articles rose in value and in price and some of 
the more useful ones became unobtainable at any offering. A 
great hardship was thus visited upon the people from this cause. 

The almost general abandonment resulted from a natural de- 
sire of a large part of the population to flee the imminence of 
Indian danger, and largely because all industries had been brought 
to a standstill with no means of a livelihood remaining. 

Again, the male population was drawn into service, leaving the 
business and industries of the country unmanned. Thus the 
frontier from end to end was paralyzed, with no wheels of industry 
moving and with much of the social structure dismantled. 

"The high tide of settlement and development" had been 

(127) 



128 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

reached and the period of recession and retrogression had set in 
not to be resumed until after the war. 

Referred specifically to Wise County, the middle stages of the 
war found the farms re-consigned to the care of nature, which 
force speedily induced a rankorous growth of vegetation and an 
occupation by howling wild animals. In the few cases where 
families did not emigrate beyond the boundaries of the county, 
removals to Decatur were made, for the protection to life, 
which was there afforded ; but hardly enough of this temporary 
influx came to materially increase the population of the town. 
Farm life being regarded dangerous was broken up and many 
years elapsed before any general return to the industry was made. 
Most all social customs lapsed into abeyance, its strictly pleas- 
urable phase being wholly destroyed. No stalwart gallants 
remained in the county to hand the maidens around and the 
imagination pictures the latter fondly looking to the end of the 
hostilities that old relations and happy customs might be 
resumed. 

Hardships, more rigorous than ever, were entailed on the pro- 
ducing powers of the community, by reason of the loss of the 
distant supply, and now more necessary than ever did it become 
to create all things consumed at home. 

Thus restricted the people were in many ways denied the arti- 
cles which in this day are common but during those days were 
listed among the luxuries. 

A schedule of the prices which obtained for staple articles is 
appended to convey an appreciation of the status of affairs, the 
quotations being taken from those fixed by a state commission 
in session Sept. 23, 1863, as follows: 

Wheat, S2.50 per bushel; flour, $15.00 per bbl. (196113.) ; Corn, 
$1.37 per bushel; barley, $2.00 per bushel; rye, $2.00 per bushel; 
oats, $1.50 per bushel; rice 25c per lb. ; hams, 35c per lb. ; sugar, 
brown, 20c per lb.; white clarified sugar, 35c per lb.; salt, 5c per 
lb.: beef cattle, $35.00 per head. 

Famines in certain necessities often occurred, at which times 
it would be necessary to resort to unsatisfactory substitutes ; thus 
parched grain was substituted for colTee, and sorghum for sugar. 
Numbered among the privations was the loss of mail facilities. 



CHANGES AND CONDITIONS INCIDENT TO WAR. 129 

The chief reHanco for quick and regular conveyance of mail had 
been the Overland Southern Mail Route. This was purely a gov- 
ernmental enterprise or else the government was sponsor for its 
existence, and with the breaking of relations between the North 
and South the mail route was discontinued. The effect was 
immediately felt and was one of the evidences of the ruthlessness 
of war. 

Of Decatur it may be said that the town became one inhabited 
spot in a wilderness of silence and solitude ; the great rich lands 
and primeval forests spread before her, but no hand turned the 
plough or raised hoe or ax. Many of the town's little store build- 
ings became deserted and the bats flew in and built nests. The 
town presented a sleepy aspect with its few buildings clustered 
on the hilltop. 

The population at this time was principally made up of refugees 
from different sections of the county, who, forbearhig to desert 
the frontier, had huddled themselves at Decatur and presented 
such defense to the threats of the hour as lay within their power. 
Outside the few stirring enactments that occurred as direct inci- 
dents of the war, the only excitements were the occasional Indian 
depredations which, while in progress, reduced the little post to 
a condition of panic. But the Indians having passed out, the 
town lapsed again into its somnolent state not to be aroused until 
a recurrence of savage activity. 

On the whole the frontier presented a monotonous grind of 
existence, through -which the people struggletl under the heavy 
burdens while waiting the hour when the passions of war and 
red-man's hatred should subside and the tide of affairs had again 
returned to their normal levels. 



CHAPTER V. 

Conspiracy of the Peace Party. 

Directly opposed to the peaceful trend of the times was the 
war like occurrence of the summer of 1862. This was an elabor- 
ate conspiracy having for its motive the overthrow of the Con- 
federate authority in this section of the state, and progressively, 
of the remainder of the state, should the designs have proved 
successful here, at the place of their inception. 

The name of the organization through which the Confederacy 
was to be dealt this subtle blow was the Peace Party, and its 
constituent elements were made up of Union sympathizers and 
others who, having loyalty for neither side, were dissatisfied with 
the' war. 

Where and when the plan of the conspiracy had its birth is not 
known and in so far as can be learned there is no knowledge as 
to with whom the idea originated. The first wind got of it was 
in Cooke County, the revelations having come through a 
citizen who was loyal to the Confederate cause. 

It appears that in a region some miles east of Gainesville there 
dwelt a large colony of northern sympathizers, from among whom 
success was met in obtaining secret sui)i)orters to a plan which in 
general comprehended the reduction of this part of the state 
preparatory to the coming of a large Federal force from Kansas, 
by whojn the country would thenceforth b(^ occupied. In detail 
the plan comprehended the secret organization of forces and the 
gradual accretion of members against the day w^ien sufficient 
strcMiglh and power would be evolved to enable the order to arise 
suddenly everywhere, capture the Confederate stores and forces, 
and by burning property and deprivation of arms and supplies, 
reduce the people to such a state of subjection, as to render them 
powerless to resist the coming of the Fedei-al army which was to 
complete the designs by marching in and taking general control. 

It was in the alcove mentioned connnunity that the ste]) was 
taken that brought the movement to its calamitous termination. 
(130) 



CONSPIRACY OF THE PEACE PARTY. 131 

This came about as a result of efforts which were made to secure 
members to the traitorous order, and as a (Urect result of over- 
tures which were made to Newton Chance, the Confederate loyal- 
ist above mentioned, to secure his membership. 

Chance gave no reply to the overtures, but as a loyal Confeder- 
ate took the first opj^ortunity to tell General Hudson at Gaines- 
ville what he knew. By that official he was advised to feign an 
interest in the proceedings and after learning further details to 
return and report same. Chance did this and General Hudson, 
in possession of the exposures, immediatety began a crusade 
against the ortler which resulted in the trial, conviction and sub- 
sequent hanging of fifty-five of the conspirators who had been 
proved guilty of leadership in a movement which wa'fe regarded as 
traitorous, in the highest degree, to the Confederate government. 

The scene of action is now transferred to Wise County, where 
as revealed by Chance, a second phase of the conspiracy was being 
developed. His exposures revealed the name of one Dr. McCarby, 
a man who had formerly been a citizen of the Prairie Point com- 
munity, this county, but who had subsequently moved "and 
settled in the region east of Gainesville where the Peace Party 
was first heard of. McCarty had been deputed to assume organ- 
izing charge of the Wise County phase of the affair, and judging 
by the large number of respectable and hitherto imsuspected 
citizens of the Prairie Point connnunity which he inveigled into 
the order, he must have been a man possessed of subtle power 
and cunning. 

General Hudson now undertook to stamp out the conspiracy 
in Wise County, which had been so successfully accomplished in 
Cooke. Captain John Hale, commandant at Decatur, was order- 
ed to arrest the conspirators, whose names had Ixhmi obtained, 
and luring them to Decatur for trial. The police duty was con- 
signed to the local Confederate scouting forces and very soon an 
exciting time was in progress. The excitement was further 
heightened by the well-known men who were being arrested and 
brought in for trial. The trial commission was organized with 
fifty of the best known and qualified men of the county sitting 
in chambers, over whom Rev. Bellamy, a Methodist presiding 
elder, presided as chairman. Sheriff Robert G. Gates, who had 



132 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

served the county as sheriff or deputy in most of the past 
county administrations, was in attendance to carry out the man- 
dates of the commission. 

The trial commissioners occupied the upper story of the Con- 
federate Arsenal, the office of the latter being on the ground 
floor. Sentinels were placed about the town, one or two on each 
road leading therefrom. Mysterious midnight searches, investi- 
gations and arrests now followed and the county was thrown into 
a fit of excitement. The trials began with the arrival of the first 
prisoners and continued until the- question of guilt of all the 
accused parties was settled. Some were found to have rendered 
only a perfunctory allegiance to the secret order, and these were 
ordered detained to be sent later to the Confederate Army. Out 
of the number tried five were adjudged totally guilty and sen- 
tenced to capital punishment. The names of these unfortunates 
were: John Conn, Ira Burdick, Jim McKinn, Parson Maples and 
— Ward. John Conn had been a member of the Confederate 
guard sent from Wise County to Gainesville to remain during 
the trials there. 

At the ending of their respective trials each of these men were 
conveyed to a tree which stood in the Swan pasture at the west- 
ern edge of town, and hanged by the neck until dead. 

They were hauled away from the arsenal, sitting on their 
coffins, in wagons, and it was from the wagons, pulled from under 
them that they fell to their death. 

Thus ended a series of gruesome scenes and thus was extermi- 
nated the untimely propaganda of the Peace Party. Having 
encountered two dire and fateful consequences at its outset, the 
party vanished from the face of the earth and no further attempts 
were made to inculcate a hostile faith in this, a Confederate 
community. 

There remains a word to be said in extenuation of the crimes 
which the above named men expiated with their lives. It is said 
that numerous good citizens were inveigled into the Peace Party 
upon belief in false representations. The propagandists of the 
order held out the plausible and inoffensive , proposition that 
their chief aims and designs were to secure an organization in 
the Intercast of peace and the settlement of the issues that divided 



CONSPIRACY OF THE PEACE PARTY. " 133 

the North and South. Such a doctrine found unwary endorsers 
everywhere, especially did it thrive among those who felt no 
sincere leanings toward either side, and who were thus desirous 
that the war would speedily end, let the victory fall where it may. 

The fiends on whom justice could have laid her bitterest repri- 
sals were the iniquitous disseminators of a specious proposal in 
order to gain adherents to a bad and traitorous design against the 
Confederacy. 

The Wise County members of the Peace Party were mostly 
respectable citizens who had been duped into aligning themselves 
with a badly misunderstood organization and though it became 
the requisite duty of the local officials to take sunmiary action, 
there remains' in the retrospect a sense of tragedy and pathos. 



CHAPTER Yl. 
A Glance at Decatur in War Time. 

A few families who remained at the county seat during the 
trying period of the war may be named. There were the fam- 
ilies of A. Bishop, E. A. Blythe, Dr. Thomas Stuart, Captain A. 
H. Shoemaker, S. M. Gose, Noah Cravens, Dr. J. W. Knight, 
Chris Gose, W. H. Hunt, G. B. Pickett, J. W. Hale and Jack 
Moore. These are deserving of special mention, for without ques- 
tion they played a heroic part in remaining in a position, far on 
the frontier, with savage attacks pressing them on one side and 
war's privations and restrictions on the other. 

Colonel Hunt had been forced to abandon Cactus Hill at the 
approach of Indian hostilities and was now with his family 
occupying the old Halsell tavern at Decatur. Mr. Halsell had 
been forced to abandon his hostelry, because, it is presumed, of 
the lack of patronage, very little travel obtaining in war times. 

Along with Colonel Hunt came Miss Lutitia Wilson, who had 
been a governess to the Hunt children at Cactus Hill. Miss 
Wilson started a school in a vacant log dwelling in the northeast 
part of the town; she also taught a class in music, the town's 
first of the kind, in the Halsell Tavern, using the old melodeon 
which had been brought along from the Hunt ranch. Miss Wil- 
son was graced with culture and refinement, being one of the 
typical Northern women who are so highly equipped for the 
teaching profession. She is described as being an extraordinary 
person of her type and has left her influence indelibly stamped on 
a few of her former pupils. A few of the latter are recalled as 
follows: Libby, Lancing, Kate, Belle and Willie Hunt, So- 
phronia Crutchfield, Rowena Hale (now Mrs. C. D. Gates), Mary 
Stuart (Mrs. Carpenter-Shown), Byda Howell, Marsh, Jim, Fan- 
nie and Will Cook, Rufus and Sarah Lindley, Laura, Nannie and 
ToniLsbell, (the first of the last group is now Mrs. J. M.Tannahill), 
Mattie and Willie Blythe, James, Greta and Alice Taylor, Mattie 
and Chock Perrin, and Lucinda Cravens. Miss Wilson was a 
(134) 



A GLANCE AT DECATUR IN WAR TIME. 135 

devout Episcopalian and inveterately began the morning school 
exercises with prayer. There are numerous persons of this era 
who came in contact with Miss Wilson who feel themselves pro- 
foundly indebted to her beneficial influences ; and without doubt 
such an elevating character was of high value to the community. 

Miss Wilson's school children were direfully affected at the 
progress of the trials of the Peace Party conspirators and when 
the doomed men began to be hauled away on their coffins to the 
scaffold almost a panic ensued. The children also evinced much 
fear at the sight of the heavily armed sentinels marching soli- 
tarily about the roads and both facts combined created much 
disturbance in the little institution. 

Prior to the summer of 1862 the people of Decatur, in the 
absence of churches or church organizations, had worshipped, 
when opportunity offered, in empty store buildings and family 
residences. Such services occurred at no regular intervals and 
only at such times as itinerant ministers came into the village. 
In 1862 the first church organization occurred. This was effected 
through the Methodist denomination, of which church only a few 
members resided in town. Rev. Bellamy, a presiding elder, at 
that time living on Black Creek, officiated at the organizing 
ceremony, attended by the following citizens: Mr. and Mrs. 
Stephen M. Gose, Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Foster and Sallie and 
Margaret Foster, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Gose and Mr. and Mrs. 
Robert Wallace. Stephen Gose was elected class leader. The 
organization occurred in a vacant store on the south side of the 
square. No other church organization occurred until after the 
war. 

During this time patriotic feeling found expression in certain 
typical war songs. Colonel Hunt's large wool caravans, brought 
along from Cactus Hill, stood in prominent positions about the 
public square and on these, in the summer evenings, the school 
children climbed and vented their souls in song. The following 
was sung to the tune of ''The Bonnie Bue Flag": 

My homespun dress is plain, I know, 

My hat's palmetto too, 
But this will show what Southern girls 

For Southern rights will do. 



136 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

Another, which is perhaps a hoine-niade version of the famous 
" Secession Wagon," ran as follows: 

" Tennessee and Texas, who can't make up their mind, 
But we reckon after all we'll have to take them up behind. 
Our wagon's plenty big enough, 

The running gears are good, 
It's stuffed with cotton round the sides, 

And made of Southern wood." 

The program usually ended with the acclaim: 

" Hurrali, Hurrah, HvuTah, 

For the home spvm dress that Southern women wear." 

But the crisis which inspired these songs ultimately came to 
an end, and with it a second period of new life for the Southland. 

The remainder of these remarks reflect the changes that 
occurred following the cessation of hostilities. 

As soon as the blockades were withdrawn from Southern ports, 
commerce began to move and industries to thrive. The pall of 
silence and death arose from the little county seat, and con- 
siderable business activity became manifest. 

The first merchants to enter business were J. C. Carpenter and 
Charles D. Cates, who, in 1866, rented the Bishop store building 
and filled it witli merchandise. The following year the stock was 



Ct^ 







i! 



EARLY PICTURE SOUTH SIDE PUBLIC SQUARE, DECATUR. 



A GLANCE AT DECATUR IN WAR TIME. 



137 



moved into the Howell and Allen building, after which Carpenter 
and Gates dissolved partnership. Mr. Gates then bought a 
place on the south side of the square and formed a partnership 
with Gephus W. Woods, and continued in business. The second 
merchant was Eph. Daggett, who opened up in the old Howell 
and Allen building. He was followed in the fall by Jack Moore, 
who occupied the Halsell tavern with a stock of goods. The 
Daggett store then changed hands, Jacob-Marion and Eli Lindley 
taking charge. Awhile after the war, when conditions had found 
their normal level, the following firms constituted the town's 




EARLY PICTURE EAST SIDE OF PUBLIC SQUARE, DECATUR. 



permanent business concerns, to-wit: Terrell and Kellam 
(Samuel L. Terrell and Jacob Kellam), Gollins and Brown (R. M. 
Gollins and Jack Brown), Gates and AVoods, and Sewell Brown, 

The town's hostelry now existed in the old Howell residence 
being conducted by Dr. Thomas Stewart. His successors in 
line were Gapt. Shoemaker, Major Whorton and Gol. Bishop. 
Amos Grider afterwards opened a hotel on the south side. 

Sam Perrin had received the appointment as postmaster, to 
whom Mrs. Mary Gose was assistant. The post office was kept 
in a residence that stood under the hill off the northeast corner 
of the square. Mrs. Gose only recalls one incident in connection 
with the office which is that of Heck Miller's habit of calling for 



138 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

his mail. He customarily rode up on his horse and desired to 
know " if there was any mail in the Heck box?" 

Other incidents of the early life was the erection of the town's 
first stone building by Samuel Terrell on the southeast corner of 
the sc^uare. On June 20, 1869, the first fire in the history of 
Decatur occurred, which was the burning of Capt. Tom Stand- 
field's residence. 

The medium of exchange for the buying and selling of goods 
continued to be cattle, with which property the county was well 
supplied. From this date up until the later eighties the county 
continued almost singly in the stock industry, and through all 
of these years Decatur remained a frontier out-post and a base of 
supplies for many far distant ranches. The general condition 
improved considerably after the close of hostilities, but the town 
and county were yet to undergo many years of suffering from 
Indian depredations, and not until the early seventies did 
absolute freedom and safetv return. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Pursuit and Arrest of Deserters, 

A few days before Lee's surrender at Appomattox Courthouse 
on April 9, 1865, the force in command of the post at Decatur 
were thrown into a fever of excitement by the reception of 
orders to join in the pursuit of a fleeing band of 100 deserters 
from the Confederate ranks who were en route to the territory 
of New Mexico. The order came from Gen. Throckmorton, 
commander of the district, and accompanying it was the infor- 
mation that a large band of soldiers had deserted the Confederate 
Army somewhere in East Texas, and with saddle horses and 
equipments were trying to escape to regions beyond the juris- 
diction of the Confederate states. 

The end of the war was signalized by many such desertions 
as is here recorded. It is said that much discouragement pre- 
vailed in the rebel ranks at the close of the war, due to prolonged 
fighting, poor equipment and general despair of victory. The 
odds were seen to be all against the brave fighting bands who 
hove aloft the rebel flag, and when an opportunity came to throw 
down their arms many succumbed to the temptation and deserted 
before the peace articles were signed. Many of these were good, 
loyal soldiers, who had borne bravely their part in the war. 
Another reason assigned for the many desertions was the general 
fear of the rebel soldiers that the cavalry forces would be dis- 
mounted and their horses retained. To prevent this, desertions 
were made and regions sought where such would be impossible. 

Col. Diamond and forc(\s of the Red River station were already 
in pursuit of the deserters in question when the order reached 
Decatur post to join in. 

Col. G. B. Pickett was in connnand of the Decatur post, and 
on Saturday, April 2, 18G5, he left in a northwesterly direclfion 
with a strong company which numbered among others the 
following members: J. D. White, 1st Lieut.; Bob Gates, John 

(139) 



140 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

Wasson, Bob Wallace, Dr. J. W. Cartwright (now of Amarillo), 
W. A. King, M. W. Shoemaker, Tom Robinson, Wm. Hobson, 
Jim Burton, Sam Brandenburg, Jim Beck and Lee Crutchfield. 
Other names of the full connnand of perhaps 100 men cannot be 
recalled. 

These were joined en route by Capt. Earheart and a company 
of men recruited from Western Wise and Jack Counties. 

Late in the afternoon of Sunday, April 3, the conmiand had 
reached the Wichita in the Panhandle, having struck the trail 
of the fleeing deserters before leaving Wise County. The desert- 
ing force was mounted on fine horses which were kept refreshed 
and well fed on the abundant grass of the route traveled. L^pon 
the other hand the pursuing forces were mounted on inf(>rior 
stock, John Wasson being astride a mule. 

At the foot of a high ridge which separated them from the 
Wichita River, the command came upon the ashes of fresh camp 
fires, and thinking themselves well up with the enemy, decided 
to pause for the night and rest in camp. Supper was prepared, 
and later the horses staked out and early beds sought. The next 
morning preparations for an early start were made and a detail 
went out to bring in the horses. It was before daybreak, and 
all was calm and serene in the balmy spring air. Presently the 
clear, musical note of a bugle sounded from the slope of the ridge 
next the river. The men after the horses hastily returned and 
reported the occurrence. '' My God," said one, '' I wouldn't 
have felt any worse if I had heard Gabriel's horn blow." 

The entire camp grew animated at once and a consultation 
followed. The fact of their being in the immediate vicinity of 
the enemy was not doubted ; that the two forces had slept through 
the night with only the ridge between them was plainly evident. 

At sunrise, three of the force, said to be Col. Pickett, Lieut. 
AYhite and Private Gates, crawled to the top of the ridge and 
peered forth, and their beliefs of the nearness of the enemy were 
confirmed. A large camp had been pitched in true military 
style at the foot of the ridge in a draw. The horses were still 
grazing at a short distance from the camp, and preparations for 
breakfast were under way; fires were glowing and there were no 



PURSUIT AND ARREST OF DESERTERS. 141 

signs evident that those of the camp dreamed that a large body 
of pursuers lay over the ridge ready to charge and capture them. 

The presence of the fresh camp fires on the other side of the 
ridge were now accounted for. The deserters had first struck 
camp there, but discovering water in the Wichita beyond, had 
movetl closer to it. The scouts returned from the top of the 
ridge and reported their observations, and advised a plan of 
action. 

Col. Diamond, superior in command, was hesitant in making 
the attack, and advised postponement until a more opportune 
moment. Col? Pickett then asked and gained permission to 
carry out the designs he had formed for the surprise and capture 
of the enemy's camp, after which he called for volunteers. From 
the many who responded 24 men were chosen. Milton Shoe- 
maker was placed in the center of the file, and the ascent towards 
the top of the hill was begun. From this point whip and spur 
were put to the horses and a swift descent, accompanied by much 
shouting and yelling, was made on the camp below. Imme- 
diately there was great consternation among the surprised and 
astounded deserters who sprang for their rifles, and began firing. 

To the right and left of the camp swept the charging forces, 
antl in the twinkling of an eye the camp was denuded of its 
horses which were circled and driven back over the ridge. In 
the charge Milton Shoemaker's horse was shot from under him, 
and he quickly mounted one of the enemy's. By this time Col. 
Diamond and the remainder of the troops had come uj), and the 
camp of the enemy was surrounded on three sides, with Lieut. 
White in command of Col. Pickett's company on the north. 
The deserters, with horses gone, saw their desperate condition, 
and presented a white flag, the signal of surrender, (bl. Dia- 
mond went among them and was immediately threatened with 
death if the horses were not returned. The white flag had been 
a ruse. Col. Pickett followed Diamond and was met with much 
flourishing of revolvers and threats. A long parley followed in 
which the deserters were convinced of the uselessness of defense, 
whereui)on they surrendered. They began l^urning powder and 
throwing weapons in the water, after which they were mounted 



142 PIONEER JhISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

and marched back to the settlements. Col. Diamond conveyed 
a part of them away and Col. Pickett took the remainder to the 
Confetlerate post at Buffalo Springs, leaving them in charge of 
Confederate officers. 

None remained long in captivity for all gained their liberty 
with the surrender of Lee, which followed soon after this occur- 
rence. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Changes in County Administrations at the End 
OF THE War. 

Following General Lee's surrender a large Federal force, under 
conmiand of General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston and pro- 
ceeded forthwith to occupy the posts at Austin and San Antonio 
and the garrisons on the frontier. Proclamations were soon issued 
suspending civil and military authority in Texas and granting 
slaves their freedom. At about the same time Lincoln's successor 
in the presidential office, Andrew Johnson, issued an amnesty 
proclamation which prescribed the conditions and the oath untler 
which the right of suffrage would be exercised. Andrew J. 
Hamilton, a Texan, received the appointment as provisional 
governor, assuming office July 25, 1805. It fell to the latter 's lot to 
reconstruct the government in Texas, no small part of which was 
to suspend all county administrations tenured by Southern sym- 
pathizers and officials and appoint in their places those whose 
views antl prior actions harmonized with the northern or federal 
government. 

Beginning with this first suspension in Wise County a long 
series followed at irregular intervals. For upwards of a period 
of ten years a conflict progressed between the civil and military 
arms of the state of Texas, each striving to retain a hold on the 
government. First one and then the other would gain the 
supremacy and power, corresponding to which there would be a 
suspension and re-appointment of county officials throughout 
the state. 

No positive record has been kept of these changes in this 
county, and no memory has been able to recall the alterations, 
so frequently did they occur. 

The first suspension occiu'red in 1S()5 in conformance to Gov- 
ernor Hamilton's connnand. A list taken from the Secretary of 
State's department at Austin gives the following names of citizens 
as having been appointed to the respective Wise County offices 
set out below : 

(143) 



144 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

Isaac Plumlee, Chief Justice, appointed Sept. 15, 1865. 

Benj. Shrives, Clerk of Dist. Court, appointed Sept. 15, 1865. 

Granger Sahnon, Clerk County Court, appointed Sept. 15, 1865. 

David Anes, Sheriff, appointed Sept. 15, 1865. 

Wm. Tyler, Assessor antl Collector, appointed Sept. 15, 1865. 

C. B. Ball, Treasurer, appointed Sept. 15, 1865. 

Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 1, Stephen Gose, Ed. C. 
Jones. 

Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 3, Wm. Rice, L. L. Ward. 

Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 4, Westly Higgins. 

Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 6, John Thompson. 

Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 8, Wm. Waters. 

Reference to the list of succeeding county officials in the fore- 
part of the book will reveal the names of the officials who were 
displaced to make way for the above. It is stated that Isaac 
Plumlee only nominally held the office of Chief Justice, the 
authorized official being "Long" Walker, who for some reason 
or other never occupied the place. On the above fist of what 
might be termed Republican appointees will be noticed one or 
two names who were known to be strongly Southern in sympathy. 
This is explained as the result of harmonious action prevailing 
between the local and better elements, who, opposed though the}^ 
were on the great general issues of the war, were united in the 
smaller matters involving the affairs of Wise County. Such 
Southerners as belonged to the administration were members by 
virtue of their eligibility and good character. 

The list above given is the result of a clandestine meeting 
attended by prominent representatives of both views — moving 
spirits in the county — who came together on the heels of the in- 
formation that removals and reappointments would occur, to 
decide on a set of county officers which would be satisfactoiy to 
both sides. 

This meeting, held in back end of a store room at Decatur, 
shows the harmonious relations that existed here at that time 
between the leading spirits of the northern and southern views. 

After having decided on the names of the prospective admin- 
istration, the list was conveyed to Austin where Governor Ham- 
ilton was easily induced to make the appointments. 



CHANGES IN COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AT END OF WAR. 145 

The memory of the hving pioneers is clear and decisive as 
regards the above related facts, but as to the changes which 
followed in succession, beginning with the removal of the last 
named set of officers very little can be recalled. 

In the general elections held for the selection of dek^gates to 
the Constitutional Convention, of 18()(3 the autocratic power and 
rigid restrictions as regards the right of suf^'rage were revealed. 
A system of registration was set up in every county which granted 
a voting certificate to every person who had not in any form or 
fashion taken part in the war as a loyalist to the Confederate 
cause. This practically eliminated the entire voting population 
of the several counties and threw the machinery of the govern- 
ment entirely within the autocratic control of the representa- 
tives of the Federal powei-. \'ery few in Wise County could take 
the oath of anmesty which was necessary to the right of suffrage. 

The Constitutional Convention met and adopted a constitution 
conformable to the requirements of the United States and referred 
the same to a vote of the people, the election to take place on 
June 4. All Southerners being disfranchised, only Repul^licans 
and northern sympathizers participated. The constitution was 
adopted. James W. Throckmorton was elected governor in the 
election for State and county officers, which occurred in unison 
with the constitutional election. A conflict then occurred be- 
tween President Johnson and the General Congress, due to which 
many duly elected Southern governors were removed. Governor 
Throckmorton among them. 

General Sheridan now took charge and a military form of 
government was instituted. The iron hand of the autocrat began 
to be felt everywhere in Texas and Louisiana, over which states 
General Sheridan reigned. The registration laws were tightened 
and strengthenetl and moiv rigidly enforced. 

In this way the trend of affairs grew gradually worse until 
1869, the very worst was inaugurated with th(> election of 
Edmund J. Davis, the high-handed despot, as governor. 

The writer has already trangressed the proprieties of this 
record in the narration of the above loosely joined facts, but an 
impression of the rigorous restrictions which were put in opera- 
tion here could hardly be conveyed without giving some hint of 

10 . " • 



146 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

their source. No furthcn- allusion will hv made to the general 
situation behind the local, other than to say that Davis was 
swept out of office by Coke's great election in the latter seven- 
ties. But before retiring, he (Davis) caused Texas to more 
resemble a kingdom struggling in the grip of despotism than a 
land where individual freedom is regarded as an inalienable and 
inviolable principle. 

Wise County only bore a part of the extreme^ measures of 
spoliation ; her position on the frontier protecting her from the 
evils and indignities practised on the more populated counties 
nearer to the seat of power. 

But in numerous infamous ways she was made to feel that 
alien hands were steering the helm of state. The first of these 
came in the notice to suspend her government and other notices 
came in the many removals and disturbances that followed. 

The people accepted these decrees philosophically and dis- 
played coolness and deliberation in joining with the local Rejnib- 
licans in the endeavor to elevate safe men to office. 

The iniquitous registration system itself, which virtually had 
the effect of robbing the people of their government and placing 
it in the hands of foreign power, was sufficient cause alone to 
remind the people that a terrible chaos existed in their govern- 
mental affairs. 

On the other hand they as a presumably free people were made 
to endure the presence of a husky squad of soldiers sent to 
Decatur from Ft. Richardson ostensibly to enforce ortler at the 
polls, but really as a guard to guarantee that negroes were 
allowed to vote. 

Should harmony not have prevailed between the citizens and 
the men elevated to the count}^ offices, a greater disagreement 
and further trouble would have ensued, but fortunately these 
men represented the liest class of citizenship to be found in their 
party; they were friends and neighbors and their official acts 
usually sought the highest interests of the county. The objec- 
tionable feature about the situation was the frequency of changes 
and disruptions and the incidental necessity of readaptations to 
the rapidly alternating conditions. There could be no settled 
attitudes under a state so fluctuating in character; one set of 



CHANGES IN COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AT END OF WAR. 147 

officials would ix'taiii office say for six nionths, another for a 
shorter or longer space, but no assurance existed that any set 
would remain for any definite time. Clearly in the face of so 
chaotic a state of politics the people were harrassed and hard 
pressed. 

On the whole it was a time of intimidation and humiliation for 
that noble body of men and women who had spent their lives in 
shaping the county from the wilds of barbarism and enduring the 
great privations and hardships incident to that stupenduous ac- 
complishment. To be then told to keep hands off was a fate more 
bitter and intolerable than any hardship heretofore encountered. 

But the hardy common sense of the peo})le came to the res- 
cue and extricated them from their difficulties. With much 
wisdom and fortitude they temporized with the evils of the hour, 
patiently awaiting the day when they would receive their own 
back into possession. 

With great wisdom and courage, the surging impulses to action 
through retaliatory measures, were restrained and kept in abey- 
ance until the election of Governor Coke delivered them from 
their tyrannies and restored to them their old rights and liberties. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Demonstration of the Union League. 

One other warlike demonstration was to be played out before 
the antagonisms of war died away. This was tlirectly provoked 
by the Peace Party trials antl hangings, together with certain 
grievances held by members of another order, the Union League, 
against certain citizens and officials mostly residing at Decatur. 

The Peace Party affair had intensified the spirit of hate and 
opposition between the Federal and Confederate elements in 
this section, especially in Wise and Cook Counties. Prior to this 
occurrence there had existed between the opposing forces a 
passive relationship into which no violent feeling had entered; 
and doubtless this desirable condition would havc^ endured had 
not the convictions and hangings aroused the resentment of those 
who held political views similar to the Peace Party victims. But 
this sensational occurrence had added fire to the smoldering 
embers and heightened the bad feeling between the Confederates 
who, by reason of their superior numbers, had held undisturbed 
sway, and the northern inclined, of which there was but a 
sprinkling in the county. 

When the war came to an end .bringing with it the supremacy 
of the Union cause, the local representatives of the latter in turn 
became dominant. It was then that the Confederate people 
were placed on the defensive, which was an attitude little liked 
by them. This fact alone deepened the widening gulf between 
the two factions. 

At this juncture the feeling between thv two contending 
forces had reached an acute and dangerous stage. There were 
not wanting evidences that a silent, but as yet, undemonstratetl 
loathing mutually existed, and that any untoward incident was 
potent to cremate a crisis. 

The people of Confederate sympathies charged numei-ous 
misdemeanors against some of the individuals of the other side, 
one of these b(>ino; horse-stealing: it was claimed that horses were 
(148) 



DEMONSTRATION OF THE UNION LEAGUE. 149 

stolen from the settlers and sold to the Federal armies, which 
practice, coupled with a small system of espionage, were well 
remembered by the Southerners who, in the face of such recollec- 
tion, held a grudge against the faction that countenanced such 
members and practices. 

Lined up with what was known as the Union League, an order 
purpoting to endorse Northern views, was a motley array of 
individuals made up of the dregs of society, " bushwhackers," 
deserters and various other sorts who came out on the winning 
side at the close of the war. On the other hand there were known 
to be good and honest men belonging to the ortler who were 
perhaps over-zealous to see that, so long as the Republican 
power was supreme, things generally should be conducted 
according to Republican principles. These respectable men 
shoukl not be confused with the criminal class who perhaps 
engrafted themselves onto the order in c{uestion. 

Numbered in the platform of grievances of the Union League 
were grudges borne against the Confederate District Tax Collector 
who. had sold, under the hammer, much property, the taxes on 
which would not be i^aid by the unionist owners. This class in 
Wise County gained recruits from over the large districts of 
counties in which War Tax Collector Charles D. Cates had 
jurisdiction. These all concentrated their tlesigns for revenge 
on Wise County, which was the home of the collecting officer. 
Again, speaking generally of this northern order, it is in line to 
say that there were few members -of it who did not bear some 
private grievance against the heretofore dominant element in 
Wise County. Out of all of which there grew a state of affairs 
in the county that bordered closely upon ambuscade war. The 
more lawless members of this mysterious organization were 
subtel and sly of action, and by keeping a system of espionage 
and petty warfare upon those on whom their sj^ite rested, 
managed to keep a state of strife and uneasiness thoroughly 
alive in the county. 

All those officers who took part in the hanging and trial of the 
Peace members were subjected to many harrassments and were 
made the objects of dangerous threats aficl on numerous occasions 



150 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

were waylaid and fired uj)()n. It was a time of great anxiety 
for the mothers and sisters of these officials who included the 
whole body of the local militia and court officers among their 
numbers. Readers must be advised again that only the ignorant 
and criminal element were responsible for this mean warfare, the 
better class contenting themselves with higher measures of 
retahation. 

Coming together in secret confines in western Wise Coimty, all 
these disaffectionists resolved themselves into an organization, 
and styled same the Union League. That particular section 
offered special advantages for a secret conclave of this kind. 
Few settlements had been made there and small opposition or 
observation would be encountered. The opposing faction— 
the Confederates — against whom their plans would be waged, 
residetl in the eastern part of the county and at the distant 
county seat. 

Following shortly after this organization a small but rather 
weak demonstration was made against the town of Decatur. 
The clan rode in a body to the town, for what purpose was. not 
apparent, and finding it by chance pretty well occu])ied with 
sturdy, defiant looking settlers, turned tail and rode away. But 
sometime afterwards they returned with reinforcements. On 
the second occasion the people surrounding Decatur had gained 
beforehand knowledge of their prospective visit and proceeded 
to make preparations for their entertainment. There was only 
a small body of men to defend 'the. town, but to a man they were 
courageous and ready for the encountcn*. The most of them 
had seen hard service in the wai* and Indian campaigns, which, 
added to the many harassments endurcMl at the hands of the 
meaner element of the specious antl hated Union League, had 
rendered them eager for an opportunity to vent their feelings. 

In anticipation of the second visit an empty log house near the 
square was turned intQ a garrison where arms and ammunition 
were stored. Other places, better than all others, the courthouse, 
were well fortified. Notic(>s were then sent to all the settlers 
advising them to be read}'. 

The day for the expected assault arrived, and with it the con- 



DEMONSTRATION OF THE UNION LEAGUE. 151 

centration of settlers at the town. Shortly after noon a large 
body of mounted men were seen to emerge onto the prairie from 
the timber west of town. They were in disarrayed form, 
but soon came to a halt, and probably in accordance with some 
pre-arranged plan, arranged themselves into column formation 
with two abreast, in which order they defiled into town and onto 
the square. To the tune of " We'll Hang Jeff Davis on a Sour 
Apple Tree," the invaders marched around the scjuare, and when 
arrived at the south entry of the courthouse, came to a stand- 
still. Two or three of their number then alighted, and mounting 
the stairs crawled through the hatchway to the flag which 
fluttered there in the breezes and tore it from its place. They 
then ran up another flag which they had brought along, and 
returnetl to their companions below. 

Following this intimidating act, the invaders broke ranks and 
deployed themselves about town seeking the parties upon whom 
they would avenge themselves. Robert G. Gates, the sheriff who 
had tied the death knots on the Peace Party victims, was soon 
corralled, and one big, burly westerner had cornered his brother, 
Charles Gates, the tax collector. Some fortunate occurrence 
knocked aside the rope which was intended for the neck of the 
ex-sheriff and the non-tax-paying brother was staid off by a 
show of preparedness. 

During all this time the little band of settlers were measuring 
up the visitors. To their temporary consternation they beheld 
200 well-armed enemy, whereas there existed only about 35 
of their own number. Gourageous as they were, they found 
themselves heavily outnumbered, and while they had no thought 
of weakening, still were in grave doubts as to the issue. From 
all appearance it seemed that the League would successfully 
carry the day. Forced acquiescence in this view had the effect 
of intensifying the fury of the settlers, who had for so many 
weeks been humiliated and intimidated by this same band now 
collected in such formidable numbers. Their desperation knew 
no bounds and they were ready to hazard the slinnnest chance 
to defend their names and honor. 

On the southeast corner of the square stood two store buildings 



152 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

with an unoccupied lot between, and back of these some yards, to 
the south, stood the log garrison in which the settlers had placed 
their arms. Just off the plank walk, on the square immediately 
in front of the empty lot, stood a wagon, and it was while the 
settlers were despairingly reviewing their beleagured situation 
that an unexpected occurrence took place from the wagon. 
Quite without preliminary notice a man had lifted himself to 
this wagon and began to harangue the crowd with a humorous 
speech. The speaker was Joe Henry Martin, one of the living 
pioneers, who was venting his spirits? in an aimless and dis- 
cursive speech, the keynote of which was fun and good humor. 

The crowd, invaders and all, gradually drifted towards the 
sound of the speaker's voice, until the whole of the transient 
population was enjoying the merry -entertainment. In order 
to escape the intense rays of the July sun, the crowd had defiled 
into the empty lot where the shades of the buildings cooled, 
while the orator proceeded. 

Suddenly the scene changed from one of humor to real and 
deadly tragedy. Armed and ready squads of steely-eyed and 
determines 1 men stood at both the entrance and the exit of the 
lot in which the insulting invaders were hemmed. 

The entrapped men saw at a glance that the settlers, for it was 
they who manned the escapes, meant fatal execution should a 
move on their part be made. Never did eyes reveal more terrible 
earnestness nor readier intent to visit retribution than did those 
of the little body of settlers. The invaders sat unmoved and 
quiet, perhai:)s ])aralyzed by the sudden surprise with which they 
were taken. 

Ex-Confederate Capt. Charles Thompson, as brave a man as is 
ever given birth, called to their leader to come out. When he 
came Capt. Thompson pointedly told him that his men were 
in a. position, where if they batted their eyes contrar}^ to wishes, 

" more d men would be killed in a minute than a wagon 

could haul away in a day," thereupon advising them to depart. 

Impressed by so sententious and sincere a speech and so 
critical an environment, the leader returned to his men and 
counseled immediate departure. This they were allowed to do 
without molestation. 



DEMONSTRATIOxV OF THE UNION LEAGUE. 153 

No return of this kind was ever made to Decatur, and this was 
the beginning of the end of the Union League, a specious organiza- 
tion which had for many months exercised petty tyranny over 
the people of the county. Perhaps the band encountered a 
degree of manhood at Decatur, with which it liad not reckoned, 
and in the face of whicli it saw the futihty of further prosecutions 
of its outlawed actions, pendent upon which it fell into dis- 
bandment. 



CHAPTER X. 

Conditions Briefly Summed Up. 

Upon the close of the hostihties ''the pall of industrial death 
hiuig everywhere," but the beginnings of retleniption are shown 
with the meeting of the first Legislature. This met in 18()G and 
granted many incorporating rights to business enterprises and 
schools which had applied. No new counties, however, asked 
for permission to organize which is significant as applied to con- 
ditions on the frontier. The Legislature was also busy with 
numerous immigration schemes and much railroad building 
activity was reflected therefrom. 

Wise County had now been settled beyond ten years. The 
following general statistics will indicate the effects which four 
years of war and Indian scourge had visited upon this section of 
the state, as well as from a local standpoint. The fragmentary 
notes are taken from the Texas Almanac of 1867. Of the town 
of Sherman it states : 

"Sherman is a small town with two churches and one fine 
school established and supported by the Odd Fellows." 

Li Jack County the population had decreased from 1688 in 
1860 to 1000. Montague from 890 to 849. Montague was the 
extreme frontier county and laments as follows: "We stand as 
a breakwater for the protection of the State against the Indians, 
have done so for years. We will be forced to give up the frontier 
unless sustained. Sustain us and we will protect you." 

Stock raisers had begun to move into Clay County in about 
1858, but now "have almost all left on account of the Indians." 

The population of Wise County for the year was about 400. 
Not a mill was left in the county, the nearest being in contiguous 
counties. A Decatur correspondent writing to the Dallas Herakl 
in the spring of 1867 says, "The town of Decatur is the point 
where the Overland Mail touched as it passed through Wise 
County. Now that peace has been established, the people of 
North Texas desire the re-establishment of the Overland Mail." 
(154) 



CONDITIONS BRIEFLY SUMMED UP. 155 

The destroying of the mail facilities came with the downfall of 
the Confederacy and the (efforts at re-establishment were slow 
and discouraging. Mail continued to be brought from Denton to 
Decatur, the carrier charging ten cents an item for his services, 
this in addition to the regular postage. 

In 180() proposals for mail routes were published : to run from 
Meridian to Decatur, via Weatherford and Veal's Station ; Denton 
to Decatur ; Decatur to Prairie Point ; Decatur to Bc^lknap via 
Antelope and Jacksboro. 

A useful improvement at this juncture was the building of a 
telegraph line by the governuKnit which connected all the fronti(u* 
garrisons. The line touched at Decatur where an office was 
maintained. This line was instrumental in partially holding the 
Indians in check, as forewarning comnnmications of their ad- 
vance could be had. 

A vigorous protest is registered at this period against that 
inhibitory measure of the government which prevented armed 
resistance to Indian attacks and depredations. All parties col- 
lected in numbers beyond three and bearing arms were arrested 
if found by Federal police. This was one of the iniquituous 
measures aimed at holding the people in the grip of the rapidly 
alternating provisional governments over which the Federal 
authority exercised power and contro.l A more severe and un- 
just condition could not have been imposed upon a defenseless 
people. The government's contention was that sufficient 
defense and protection was guaranteed by the Federal troops 
which had succeeded to the occupation of the frontier posts 
upon the surrender and withdrawal of the Confederate forces. 
But the situation was a duplication of that which had obtained 
previous to the departure of the Federal troops at the inception 
of the war. 

The Indians in small murderous bands dodgetl between the 
large unwieldy bodies of troops and perpetrated fiendish out- 
rages upon the people. Most efTectually preventing this had been 
the small bodies of home guards and the Confederate Rangers, 
the latter sweeping in regular and effective patrols up and down 
the settlement line, keeping the savage at bay. 

But now bv Federal direction the frontier settlements were 



156 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

denuded of all such capable troops and the home guards espec- 
ially interdicted from assembling in any kind of defense to the 
merciless foe. The government troops, concentrated in large, 
slow moving bodies at widely separated posts, served to present 
but small opposition to savage marauding, leaving the people 
exposed to murderous attacks and without the legal right to 
join themselves together for protection. Such a species of negli- 
gence will long remain a blot upon the fair escutcheon of the 
general government. 

Thus at the close of the civil hostilities, while other sections 
were striding toward restoration of normal conditions, the chain 
of frontier counties, of which Wise was an important link, re- 
mained in a death struggle with a long and unhappy decade 
perquisite to its uncertain termination. In the following section 
the essential character of the Indian warfare will have treatment. 



INTRODUCTION. 
Indian Depredation Period. 

"The first great racial struggle began when the Caucasian 
began to take America from the Indians." (Paddock.) 

"It is doubtful whether any state in the union has suffered 
more continuously and more severely from the Indians than has 
Texas — from its earliest days they have been a constant menace 
to all efforts at civilization and permanent habitation. The name 
Apache and Comanche have become synonyms for ferocity, 
bloodthirstiness and the worst traits of savagery, and for years 
the tribes of that race harried the frontier and carried their war- 
fare even to the heart of the settlements. The history of Indian 
warfare and outrages in Texas would fiH volumes." (Paddock, 
"History of Northwest Texas"). 

A contributor to the Texas Historical Quarterly describes the 
various tribes as follows: "The native tribes of Texas consisted 
of two classes, the argricultural and the nomadic — twelve of the 
agricultural class belonged to the Caddo family and inhabited 
that part of the state lying east of the Brazos river, while the 
range of the class that depended upon the chase for subsistence 
was found in the western portion. The Caddos were more ad- 
vanced toward civilization than any tribes north of Mexico, 
living in villages of good tents, wearing dress and ornaments and 
cultivating the ground, producing crops of corn, melons, pump- 
kins, etc., which they providently stored for winter use. 

The nomadic tribes of Texas were the Karankawas, Lipans, 
Tonkawas, Kiowas, Apaches and Comanches. The Franciscan 
missionaries who had labored in Texas during the preceding cen- 
tury to civilize the more interesting and kindly disposed agri- 
cultural tribes had not been neglectful of these ferocious denizens 
of the province and had established missions for some of them. 
The Karankawas at this period had entirely disappeared. The 
Lipans ranged from the Brazos to the Mexican frontier along the 
foot of the mountains. The Karankawas ranged between the 

(157) 



158 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

Brazos and the Nueces from the coast as far inward as the upper 
Colorado. The Apaches, whose village was at Bandera Pass, 
were a ferocious tribe that devastated the southwestern frontier 
from its earliest settlement by the Spaniards. After annexation, 
on account of the protection given their habitual range by the 
United States forts, they had fallen back into New Mexico. The 
Kiowas claimed the Pan Handle of Texas for their range. The 
numerous and powerful Comanches were in three divisions, and 
the band which was the dreaded foe of the Texas frontier was 
the southern Comanches, for whom the Comanche reserve on the 
Clear Fork of the Brazos was established." 

The red races were the original occupants of Texas. They 
began to defend their country against encroachments of the whites 
when the latter race began to colonize the state along the coast 
region. Gradually and slowly the white settlements extended 
northward and westward, the Indians disputing every step. 
Beginning with the inception of the last century and lasting until 
the early seventies, Texas became a vast contest ground, the 
regions involved extending from the southern coast to the Pan 
Handle of the state. After fifty years^of warfare the hated insti- 
tutions and civilization of the whites had projected west into the 
territoiy of Wise County and for twenty-five years more this and 
contiguous counties must settle with the Indians for the land 
they would call their own. 

The Indian question becomes of significance to the people of 
Wise County from the date of the arrival of the first white set- 
tlers here. 

T(\xas had joined the Union a few years before Wise County 
had joined Texas as an organized entity. Prior to that time the 
Republic had dealt with the Indian problem. Now, in pursuance 
of the agreement of admission the United States government 
took charge of the Indian affairs and proceeded to handle them 
after the style followed on other frontiers. At that time all this 
section, including Wise County, was a vast Indian camp, a 
menace to innnigration and settlement. 

The United States established two posts, garrisoned with sol- 
diers, one in Hill County and the other at Ft. Worth, this in the 
later forties. White settlers began innnediately to How in and 



INTRODUCTION. . 159 

the regions around the posts were filled up. The posts, in order 
to keep in advance of settlements, were then advanced west- 
ward; one was established on the Brazos in Young County, and 
called Ft. Belknap, the other was placed on the Clear Fork of the 
Brazos, in what is now Jones County, and named Ft. Phantom 
Hill. The Indians were being crowded further west and intimi- 
dated by armed white force. They resented with the inaugura- 
tion of an intermittent warfare, depredations and killings. 

Settlements began in Wise County at this time. Ranger 
forces were then occupying the attention of the Indians in the 
Pan Handle, but in the course of half a dozen years the Indians 
raided and murdered citizens in the counties adjoining Wise on 
the west. Comj^laints against the inefficiency of the slow-moving 
Federal troops were being made. The State of Texas came to the 
rescue with the inauguration of a grand scheme which looked to 
the pacification and civilization of the warring tribes, an enter- 
prise to be co-operated in by the national government. 

In 1853 the State of Texas set apart 55,728 acres of public 
domain in the vicinity of the above mentioned posts to be used 
by the United States as a reserve whereon schools and farms 
were to be established for the schooling and training of the 
Indians. Numerous tribes of rebellious Indians were placed 
thereon; others became unmanageable and remained at large. 
For a few years the government made sincere efforts to inculcate 
the arts of white civilization into the conceptions of the savage 
tribes, but on the whole the experiment was a grand failure.^ 
The outlaw tribes from without broke through and depredated 
upon the white settlements and certain renegade Indians stole 
away from the reserves and committed like depredations. The 
policy soon came into disrepute and the people demanded the 
breaking up of the agencies and the removal of the Indians 
further away. 

The slow action of the government further heightened the 
incendiary feelings of the people. The Indians grew bolder and 
committed atrocious crimes in neighboring counties to Wise. 
Finally they murdered Bill Holden on Salt Creek, Young County, 
and the circumstances were so brutal that the people became 



160 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

inflamed antl uprose, marching against the reserves with war- 
like demonstrations. 

The details of this instance are recorded in the following 
chapter, but it is to be generally remarked here that the presence 
of the outraged citizens to the number of hundreds about the 
agencies had the effect of persuading the government to abandon 
the reserve policy at Ft. Belknap and to remove the Indians from 
the occupation of Texas soil. This was done in 18()0. Gen. 
Thomas of the regular army forcibly removed the Indians and 
established them upon the old reservation at Ft. Sill in the 
Indian Territory. 

The effect was far from salutary as respects the peace and 
safety of Wise County. The Indians now became more violent 
than ever, and in their incursions, penetrated as far south as 
Denton, Parker and Tarrant Counties, sweeping Wise County 
with a bitter fire as they scurried across. Thence they would 
return to their safe harbors in the territory. 

Wise County's afflictions became doubled. Civil war l^roke 
out coincidental with the afflictions of savage rapine and butchery. 
The war period has been described. It remains now to cite some 
of the essential details of the prolonged period of savage attack, 
during which Wise County sacrificed much of the innocent blood 
of her men, women and children; also to describe the course of 
events that brought the great troublous period to a close. 



SECTION THREE. 



Indian Depredation Period. 



"Nowhere has the contest between the Indian and the American been 
waged more stubbornly than in the state of Texas; nowhere has tiie barba- 
rian surrendered his happy hunting grounds with greater rehictance and 
with greater cost to the white man. Tlie annals of the Indian troubles would 
fill a library." — -(Paddock — History, N. Texas). 



CHAPTER ONE. 

It is estimated that beyond four scores of people sacrificed 
their lives to savage fiendishness and brutality during the 
twenty years of predatory warfare, on this county. Details of 
the more important of these murders, captures and assassina- 
tions have been secured and are here given. Due to a combina- 
tion of circumstances the nature of which has been indicated in 
preceding remarks, Wise County had enjoyed a few blissful 
ye^rs of freedom from anxiety and attack during which rapid 
strides towards substantial settlement had been made. Never- 
theless, it is true that savage murder and depredation was of 
frecjuent occurrence during these years at remoter points on the 
frontier. 

But here the people had been lulled into a peaceful and in- 
apprehensive state, and were in a fair condition to be markedly 
shocked at the brutal and initial crime committed in a region 
so near as to jeopardize their future welfare and safety. 

This crime occurn^d in Lost Valley, in the western i)art of Jack 
County, on Camerons Creek, in 1859. Two families, the Masons 
and the Cam(n-ons, were annihilated with the exception of one 
or two members who were captured. 

The details of this shocking crime were brought by runner to 
Wise County and to Sand Hill camp grounds where the majority 

'^ (161) 



162 pionep:r history of wise county. 

of the people had assembled for worship. Expectedly a crisis 
was precipitated. It was like pressing a button at some remote 
point which set the machinery of this particular section of the 
frontier into electrical action. The families at Sand Hill scurried 
to their homes. The curtain had risen upon the opening scene 
of a lurid drama of twenty years' duration, and the people must 
prepare as spectators and defenders. 

Other hair-raising crimes followed in Parker, Jack and Palo 
Pinto Counties. Savage mauraudings were encroaching upon 
Wise County, and it was only a cjuestion of time until their 
fiendish operations would be extended into its confines. With 
the murder of Bill Holden on Salt Creek, Young County, the 
enraged feeling of the people reached a decided climax. What 
action they took is recorded in the introduction to this section, 
where it is recited that the Indians were forcibh' removed from 
the reservation in the vicinit}' of Ft. Belknap to a second reserva- 
tion in the Indian Territory. 

William Weatherby, Sr., of Denton Creek, Wise County, was 
a brother-in-law of Bill Holden, and was the ])(n-son who found 
Hold(>n where the Indians had secreted his body after murdering 
him. Briefly recited, the circumstances are as follows: Dick 
Holden, father of Bill Holden, and family, and William Weather- 
by, had removed from AMse County and settled on Salt Creek, 
Young County, in about 1858. Sometime afterwards the Indians 
suddenly descended upon the premises and drove off all the horses 
and stock. The morning following the raid Bill Holden went by 
foot to a neighbor's, six miles distant northwesterly, to secure 
the loan of a horse. Late in the afternoon, gim firing was heard 
in the direction from which he was expecttnl to return, but 
slight attention was paid to so common an occurrence. The 
following morning William Weatherby went out hunting and 
returned afoot leading his horse, which was weighted with 
antelope and turkey. The second morning the family of Bill 
Holden grew appr(>hensive about the latter's continued absence, 
and a search was instituted. About a mile northwest of the 
house, in the direction of the shots of the preceding afternoon, 
blood and arrows were found littering the ground. Soon after- 
wards William Weatherby, Sr., found Holden dead in a cave. 



SAD DEATH OF BRAVE YOUNG BILL BIKDWELL. 1G3 

On Weatherby's hunt the day previous, he had paused for a 
short rest over this eave. Holden was scalped, naked and shot 
full of arrows. 

The crime was vehemently laid at the door of the reserve 
Indians and as vigorously denied by the agency officials as well 
as the Indians, who charged the imconfined tribes with the act. 
However, Holden's personal effects were soon after found in the 
possession of the reserve Indians, and Weatherby and others 
were called to the agency to identify them. Whik^ there the 
accused Indians protested innocence and explained their posses- 
sion of Holden's pistol by negotiating the following affidavit, 
to- wit: "This is to certify that this is the pistol that old 
Pinohochie took from the body of a Kickapoo Indian." The 
Kickapoos were of the wild unconfined tribes. 

But the settlers of the surrounding counties believed no such 
stuff'. They rose en masse. As Judge W. W. Brady, of Wise 
Coimty, wrote in his memorandum: " Forbearance had ceased 
to be a virtue ; we had patiently borne the loss of our property, 
but now to see our citizens murdered by the government pets 
was more than Texas blood could stand." 

The point of concentration of the citizens was at Cactus Hill, 
Wise County. Gen. John R. Baylor took command. Col. Hunt 
and Judge Brady and other Wise Countyians were concerned 
in the rebellion. The final result was the removal of the Indians 
as before mentioned. The effect was far from salutary. From 
their stronghold in the territory the Indians began a murderous 
onslaught upon the Texas frontier, with Wise County as one of 
the principal points of attack. The following pages will, in part, 
describe the savage warfare wagetl against Wise County from 
about the years 1860 until the culmination of troubles in 1874. 

SAD DEATH OF BRAVE YOUNG BILL BIRDWELL. 

At the abandonment of the frontier garrisons by the Federal 
forces at the beginning of the war, the State of Texas organized 
a frontier guard of ranger troops and stationed them along the 
line of exposed counties. Several Wise Countyians, including 
Will Weatherby, Sr., Bill Birdwell and others, were members 



164 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

• 

of one of these companies stationed at the old Buffalo Springs 
fort in Cla}^ County. Weatherby and Birdwell were intrepid 
Indian fighters, the latter being a mere boy eighteen years of 
age. 

On a dreary winter's day in 18(31, when the air was filled with 
freezing rain and ice, Lieut. Lindsay, with a squad which in- 
cluded Weatherby and Birdwell, were scouting in a vicinity ten 
miles distant from the fort, in hourly expectation of meeting the 
Indians, encounters with whom were ever imminent probabilities. 
Approaching a strip of timber a dead cow was found where she 
had been killed. Immediately Weatherby was over her and 
cutting an opening in her side, he thrust in his hand, when he 
turned to the Lieutenant and reported the interior to be yet 
warm. This plainly revealed that the animal had been dead but 
a short while. At the same instant a deadly fusilade of shots 
was turned on the group from a covert a short distance away. 
Confusion reigned for a moment and then young Birdwell gallant- 
ly spurred his horse forward into the very teeth of the firing. 
Weatherby and a few others closed up more cautiously. Bird- 
well's horse fell dead with a crash, pinioning the young man's leg 
under his body. The painted savages now leaped forward with 
fiendish yells and thrust their bayonets into Birdwell's trapped 
form killing him instantly. 

^^'eatherby, Henry ^Mlson and Bill Lawrc^nce fired manfulh' 
from a defense of trees behind which they stood at a distance 
of perhaps thirty yards; the other troopers had not come up. 
Weatherby, who was in advance, found his firearm working 
badly; at the same time he was shouting encouragement to 
his companions, not having time to look back to observe that 
only three of them were opposing forty Indians. This was soon 
discovered and the three wheeled to retreat. As they did so, 
Bill Lawrence was pierced in the back-* with an arrow. This was 
not allowed, however, to prevent the three from joining their 
companions at a place of safety on the road. Here the painful 
operation of removing the arrow from Lawrence's back was 
begun. Tlie metal point had struck the bony spinal column 
and split into two jagged fragments which curled up into the 
flesh. With no instruments at hand the onlv means of removing 



SAD DEATH OF BRAVE YOUNG BILL BIRDWELL. 165 

the arrow was by sheer pulUng. Weatherby grasped hoki of 
the stem with bullet molds and jerked the points through the 
torn and bleeding flesh, considerable of the latter coming out 
also. 

Binding the wound with handkerchiefs the best they could, 
the squad proceeded to Buffalo Springs, from where they were 
ordered to the Wichitas to intercept the Indians as they passed 
out. At this order Weatherby rebelled, saying that he intended 
to obtain young Birdwell's body and return with it to the boy's 
father, Garner Bi^dwell, in Wise County. A wordy encounter 
with the company ofhcers followed. Weatherby indignantly 
wished to know if the body of the brave young fighter was to be 
left for the wolves to devour. He called volunteers to assist, 
and they came. At night they approached the corrals and were 
threatened with shooting by the sentinel. This difficulty over- 
come, a wagon and team was secured and the lonely drive to the 
wilds for the dead body was begun. The owls hooted and some 
members of the company faltered, thinking of Indians. Weather- 
by and J. B. Riddle finally reached the corpse, carefully loaded 
it into the wagon and started on the long thive to Wise County. 
Coming first to Decatur the body was safely deposited in Garner 
Birdwell's home, a few miles distant north, the next afternoon. 
The next day the men returned with the team to Buffalo Springs. 

FUTILE BUT BRILLIANT RIDE FOR SAFETY OF MISS SALLIE BOWMAN. 

At the close of the war there lived a family by the name of 
Bowman in a picturesciue valley on Deep C;"eek. Besides being 
a farmer the head of the house was a physician by profession; 
he also owned a large bunch of fine horses which, miraculously 
enough, he had brought safely through the trying period of war. 
These latter had been consigned to the careful judgment and 
expert horsemanship of Miss Sallie Bowman, a courageous young 
daughter about eighteen years of age. The young lady ranged 
her herd about the valley, and sometimes, when it was considered 
safe to do so, ventured onto the higher prairies for the better 
grass. She usually rode a fleet animal, being at all times appre- 
hensive of being chased by the Indians. On the tlay of the 
occurrence about to be described, March 7, 1808, Miss Bowman 
was mounted on a horse of high speed tiualities, and she felt, no 



1(56 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

doubt, perfectly confident that she could outdistance any j^ur- 
suing savages. On this day she had ventured with her herd a 
mile and a c^uarter from her home, and fresh tracks later dis- 
covered on both sides of a creek, made by her own horse and 
those of the Indians, indicated that the creek had been the 
starting point of her pursuit by the Indians. Presumably the 
latter had come upon her from the opposite side of the creek, 
while she was watering her horse. Down the bank towards her 
dashed the redskins, and she, wild with fright, wheeled and 
turned her fleet horse's head in the directly of home. Over 
'the prairies sped the frenzied girl turning now and then to gaze 
on the rapidly gaining demons whom she knew would give 
no quarter. A fallen treetop lay athwart the way, a clear leap 
of twenty feet would be reciuired to bound it ; yet over it without 
disturbing a leaf went the animal ; on and on went the mad dash 
for life; wide chasms were spanned without a pause, hills were 
climbed and valk^ys skimmed over, but all in vain. 

The deplorable climax came within view of the home of a 
neighbor named Jones. Mrs. Jones stepped into the yard and 
viewed a scene which froze her to the spot. Three giant, red 
demons were bearing down upon a defenseless girl fleeing for her 
life. Two treacherous arms were thrust forward, two gun 
reports rent the air, and Sallie Bowman reeled in her saddle and 
rolled to the grountl, dead. Two bullets were in her back, fired 
at such close range as to set fire to her clothing. Two of the 
Indians kept on after the horse, which, within a few yards, 
would have reached home. The fine bunch of horses which had 
been so faithfully guarded by the young girl were taken into 
captivity. Sallie Bowman lies buried in Deep Creek Cemetery, 
her grave marked with a monument contributed in late years by 
the citizens of Deep Creek. 

DEATH OF .lAKK MOFFLT AND ESCAPE OF ALONZO DILL. 

No narrower escape from death in the days of Indian dangers 
are recorded than that of Alonzo Dill, descendant of pioneer 
days, now a citizen of Decatur. 

In ISf).") Mr. Dill lived with his father in the vicinitv of old 



DEATH OF JAKE MOFFUT AND ESCAPE OF ALONZO DILL. 167 

Prairie Point, now the town of Rhome. One of his cUities was to 
look after the horses and at the time of the following occurrence 
he was riding at some distance from his home beyond West Fork 
in the wake of a herd of horses. Casually looking up he was sur- 
prised to see himself being flanked by a band of about 15 Indians. 
His only thought was to get beyond the range of danger as rapidly 
as possible. Turning, he started for the river which he had to 
cross, his destination being home, which stood about three 
quarters of a mile away. 

With a blood-curdling yell the savages sprang forward on his 
trail. It was one of the most intensely serious moments of Dill's 
life. The Indians had had the advantage of a close start ; he was 
in their midst before their proximity was discovered. But now 
in the flight for safety he urged his horse forward with all the 
energy and persuasion he possessed. Arrows were flying all 
about him, some of them lodging in dangerous places. Coming 
to the river bank he virtually threw his horse down this, but as 
he went over, a deadly concentration of arrows burnt the air 
about him. Only a short interval elapsed between his crossing 
the river and that of his murderous pursuers. The long stretch 
ahead beyond the river now gave the Indians a clear sweep at 
him and up they rode furiously. 

Within three hundred yards of the house Dill's opportunity of 
escape hung low in the scale of chances. But at this point the 
Indians came to an abrupt halt and seemed to want to tiu'n tail 
and run. The cause of their perturbation was outlined in the 
yard of the home to which Dill was desperately fleeing. Dill's 
grim fathcn- stood there with the polished barrel of a Winchester 
rifle glinting in the sunlight, calmly waiting for a shot. The 
cowardly Indians retreated, but in an endeavor to waste the 
ammimition of the defender of the home they made several false 
charges, all of which proved futile of their aim. Their cunning 
tactics were known and no ammunition was wasted upon them. 
Finally they withdrew. Dill reached home with an arrow sticking 
in his hat, another in the pommel of his saddle, and still another 
in the back part of his saddle. Examining the point where he 
crossed the river six arrows were found sticking in a nearby tree. 

The Indians proceeded down the river and within a half-hour 



168 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

after the above occurrence intercepted a man named Jake M(jffut 
at the old Tulley crossing and murderefl and scalped him. 

Further down the country, on Indian Creek, two -men by the 
names of Smith and Wright were traveling in a northeast direc- 
tion going from Weatherford to Denton. The Indians came upon 
these and a desperate battle ensued, in which Wright lost his 
life and Smith received an arrow in his face which he was com- 
pelled to carry until he had reached Denton and assistance could 
be obtain(Hl in taking the poisonous weapon from the wound. 

After perpetrating these fiendish crimes and terrorizing the 
entire country until the whole people were in a border state of 
panic the i-ed-devils changed the course of their progress and 
returned to their safe reservations. 

THE EXTERMINATION OF THE RUSSELL FAMILY. 

The extermination of the Russell family in August, 1868, at 
their home on Martin's Prairie, about three miles southwest of 
Chico, is pointed to as one of the most atrocious massacres ever 
committed on the frontier. 

Mrs. Polly Russell was a widow with four chiklren. The 
youngest was a boy about ten years of age, the next a boy of 
seventeen, the third, Martha Russell, a girl in her teens, and 
lastly. Bean Russell, a young man. 

On the day of this terrible affair Mrs. Russell was helplessly 
surrounded by the three youngest children, Bean Russell, the 
young man, being employed at the government saw-mill on 
Sandy Creek, some miles distant to the east. Although the ever 
imminent danger of Indian attack was realized and guarded 
against in the best possible ways, yet this family must earn its 
living from the soil and must perforce remain ui)on the exposed 
farm to achieve that worthy purpose, meanwhile trusting to a 
kindly providence for safety and protection. 

Situated a short distance from the house was a dense cane 
patch and herein at some time in the forenoon, possibly before 
day, a large band of Indians, estimated at about sixty, had 
secreted themselves. 

Later investigation of the })atch revealed such ciuantiti(\s of 



THE EXTERMINATION OF THE RUSSELL FAMILY. 169 

chewed cane as to indicate that the Indians had spied on the 
premises for many hours jirevious to the moment of their attack. 

Imagine these cowardly demons leering forth from their coverts 
ready to spring forth upon this unprotected woman and children 
at the first instant of assurance that no man was on the place to 
intercept their fiendish designs. As they dodged about the cane 
one or more of them were seen by some member of the house- 
hold and Harvey Russell, the 17-year-old boy, opened fire on' 
them with a Winchester rifle. The number of exploded shells 
lying around proved that he had kept up a rapid fusilade for 
some time, a proceeding that tended to the rapid exhaustion of 
his annnunition. But the boy's brave stand was of no avail, for 
anon the savages were swarming about the house and yard, 
exclaiming and yelling hideously and (executing all kinds of 
wierd gyrations after the true barbaric fashion. 

The inmates of the home recoiled with rigid fear, turning wan, 
terror-struck faces upon their murderers. The hellish work was 
now begun and no sacred nor valuable article was left untouched. 
First the mother and the two boys were assassinated, the girl's 
life being spared, she to be held in captivity for ransom. The 
window frames and panes were wrecked, all articles of furniture 
broken up and the featherbeds ripped open and their contents 
scattered to the winds. 

No description can convey the horror of the scene that met 
Bean Russell's gaze when he returned that evening at sun down 
from his day's labor at the mill. First he encountered his little 
brother, Jinmiie Russell, deatl in the yard where the hogs had 
bruised and gnashetl the body. Across the threshold of the 
door he found the lacerated form of his mother, lying in pools of 
her own blood. Blood was scattered everywhere; small foot- 
prints of crimson, made by the little boy, covered the floor. But 
the sister and brother Harvey were not to be found. Sadly the 
young man closed the door on the desolated, wrecked and ruined 
home, and set his footsteps towards the mill. The following 
day he returned with a party of men to bury the dead. Upon 
further search Harvey Russell was found dead under the bed, 
but the sister was still missing. During the following ten days 
the young man was crazed with the desire to find his sister, 



170 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

feeling a certain sense of apprehension that she hatl been mur- 
dered and left on the way for the wolves to devour. A j^arty of 
men from Decatur started on the trail with him in the direction 
which the Indians had departed. Reaching a point about three 
miles from home, a terrible and gruesome scene was encountered; 
all that was mortal of Martha Russell now lay in a heap of bones 
and a tlisjointed frame from which the wild beasts had torn the 
flesh. Close at hand lay the bonnet which the girl had worn 
at the time of her capturcv Evidently the Indians had accom- 
plished their fiendish i)urpose, following w^hich they had killed 
the girl, an act closing the sad drama of the Russell family. 

Leaving Russell's, the Indians departed in an easterly direction 
towards the home of another settler, Dick Couch. When some 
distance from the latter place they met little Dick Couch, who 
was returning from an errand to one of the families of the 
neighborhood. Little Dick took instant flight and the Indians 
gave hard chase. The boy reached home in the van of the 
Indians and slid under a wagon near the house just as an old 
chief reached down to seize him. So ])ent was the chief on his 
quest that his horse collided with the wagon, which brought from 
him a series of ]:)rotesting grunts and exclamations. Doul^tless 
he would have j^roceeded to capture the lad had not, at that 
instant, his attention b(H'n attracted to some warning signals 
coming from the tlirection of the yard. Looking up he saw old 
Dick Couch, known to be a dead shot, menacing him with a 
rifle. The old chief thought the better part of valor was to 
flee, which he instantly did. Couch saved his anununition, which 
w^as a scarce article, but he would have stored some in a greasy 
savage had not the latter determined suddenly that his maraud- 
ing expedition was at an end. 

After a few efforts to intimidate the Couch househokl, all of 
which proved of no avail, the cowartUy miu'derers of defenseless 
women and children, 'and the braves who fought only from 
ambush, again departed in an east(M'ly direction. They were 
next heard of as camjxHl in J. D. White's field on Upper Catlett. 
Here they destroyed considerable corn and melons, whence 
they jiroceeded on iirto Denton County, where, after collecting 



BIG RAID — KILLING OF JOHN BAILEY AND MRS. VICK. 171 

a large iiiiniber of horses they returned to their safe retreats in 
the Territory. 

THE BIG RAID IN WHICH JOHN BAILEY AND MRS. VICK WERE KILLED. 

Mr. J. D. White has contributed an article to a local paper 
descriptive in part of the raid of October, 1868, which, if measured 
by the number of Indians engaged, the number of people killed 
and injured, and the number of stock captured antl driven off, 
makes it one of the most extensive expeditions of plunder and 
pillage ever endured by Wise and Denton Counties. 

Mr. White does not take up the narrative until the Indians in 
their progress through the country from west to east, had reached 
a point opposite to and north of his home on Catlett Creek, 
where their doings form the basis of his article. A few hours 
previous to the occurrence which Mr. White describes, and 
some time after the Indians had emerged into Wise County, 
they ascended a rise in the prairie overlooking the farm of Jim 
Ball in the north part of the county. The month was October, 
and John Bailey and AVill Ball were in the field gathering corn. 
Upon the instant of their being seen by the large band of Indians, 
said to be about 200, the latter executed a bold charge down the 
hill towards the men. At the right moment as the Indians came 
up, Bailey opened fire and a chief toppled from his saddle 
dead, but the remaining Indians rushed on and killed Bailey and 
put their clutches on the young Ball bo}^ but he, by a vigorous 
wrench, freed himself and dashed toward the cow-lot with the 
Indians in hot pursuit. Reaching the lot fence. Ball defended 
himself behind it, the progress of the Indians being balked by 
another man. Will Clark, who, barricaded behind the fence, 
poured deadly fire through the cracks. 

Shortly after this Mrs. \^ick was murdered, her home lying in 
the vicinity of the route taken by the inhuman retlskins. 

The next few paragraphs are notes taken from Mr. White's 
narrative describing Mrs. Vick's death. Having occasion 
to journey a short distance up the creek west from his home, 
Mr. White had stopped under a grape vine to secure some fruit. 
While leisurely standing there, he heard a noise and looked 



172 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

around to see two redskins running a calf in his direction. Tiu'n- 
ing his horse east and galloping up on a hill, he beheld the band 
of 200 Indians standing in " regular cavalry double line "' about 
a quarter of a mile distant. At once he knew his position to be 
perilous and did not doubt having been seen, so he atlopted a 
ruse that worked effectively. Waving his hat as if others were 
coming up behind him he slowly advanced towards the Indians, 
but all the while edging towards a point from which he could 
make the dash for home. 

He was occupied in this strategic movement sufficiently long 
to enable him to observe the movements of the Indians. He had 
hardly begun the pseudo-attack when a full dressed Indian, 
apparently a chief, made a complete circuit of the band scream- 
ing out something which Mr. White little understood, stopping 
short about twenty yards in advance of the main line. Then 
three warriors, well mounted, left the main body and rode down 
the hill in the direction of Mrs. Mck's home, which was situated 
west from the scene under description. Presently Mr. White 
heard the sharp crack of a Winchester, followed immediately 
by a scream of distress. A few steps further of advance and Mr. 
White thought the ])sychological moment for his departure had 
arrived, and he turned and spurred his horse in the direction 
of his home and unprotected wife and children. \'ery soon he 
had the latter and the Salmons, a neighboring family consisting 
of mother and son, safely secured across Catlett Creek. 

As soon as it was safe to do so Mr. White and Granger Salmon 
rode over to Mr. Mck's house and foimd that the three Indians 
who had separated from the main band in sight of Mr. White, 
had stealthily advanced ujjon the \'ick home and shot Mrs. Mck 
in the back while she was stooping over a washtub. 

The next warlike demonstration of this terrorizing body of 
braves was on the hill which overlooked the home of Jackson J. 
Conelly. Here another ruse was adopted by the intimidatixl 
citizens, which doubtless saved them their lives and scalps. 
Mr. Conelly was the only man on the place at the time, but there 
were several women and children. A second weakness of the 
defensive resources existed in the fact that only one load of 
ammunition for the single gun of the place was possessed. But 



BIG RAID — KILLING OF JOHN BAILEY AND MRS. VICK. 173 

the Indians did not know this and they were ignorant that the 
yard full of menacing, swashbuckhng men below were really 
women. But this was the exact truth. On realizing the 
danger of the situation, Mr. Conelly ordered all the women 
on the place in men's apparel, and to indicate their preparedness 
by brandishing hoes, broomhandles and sticks as if they were 
deadly weapons. The 200 Indians rode away, outwitted by 
the l^rain of one white man. By this time the news of the 
killings and of the presence of this unusually large number of 
Indians in the county had reached the little village of Decatur, 
and thrown its inhabitants into a furore of excitement and fear. 
Decatur during those years, was nothing more than a small 
head-c}uarters habitation for the various persons engaged in the 
cattle business. At the time of this raid the majority of 
the cattlemen were absent with cattle on a drive into Kansas. 
The women and children left behind at Decatur had been 
consigned to the care of Providence, and to the one or two 
merchants then keeping store there. One of the latter was 
Chas. D. Gates, who describes a great state of panic among the 
fear-stricken women at the time of this occurrence. Two 
hundred savages murdering and pillaging four miles north of town 
and momentarily expected to make an assault, was placing too 
high a premium upon the sum total of courage and fortitude. 
Mr. Gates, Gapt. Ed. Blythe and one or two others calmed and 
soothed as much as possible, but the situation in truth was 
threatening. Late in the afternoon the courthouse was fortified 
with all the arms available so that a defense could be made 
against any night attack. On the other hand the women were 
advised to concentrate and spend the night, some in the court- 
house and others at Bishop's Tavern, a suggestion which met 
with their hearty approval, and in accordance with which they 
acted. A dreary night of anxiety and alarm was spent. From 
sunset to dawn guards swept the moonlit horizons with keen 
gaze, expecting at any moment that some point would become 
blackenetl by the armed band of terrorizing braves making an 
approach to the village. Women cjuaked in fear and children 
wailed in the darkness, but day dawned smiling and bright, and 
with it came peace antl quiet. The dusky cloud of assassinators 



174 PIOXEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

had passed on into Denton County leaving the harassed landscape 
of Wise County to lapse again into its tranquil state. 

In Denton County several niore murders were committed and 
a clash with an armed band of citizens ensued. Participants 
on both sides were killed but the Indians escajjed to the territory 
taking with them 800 head of horses collected along the route 
through Denton and Wise Counties. 

M.\SSACRE AXI) CAPTURE OF THE BABB FAMILY. 

The murder and the capture of the members of the above- 
named family was an event of the greatest and most sensational 
proportions of the period of Indian attack, and has gained his- 
torical prominence in all the books which treat of the phase of 
Texas history of which this occurrence is a part. 

The details surrounding the massacre and capture are as 
follows: In September, 18()0, John Babb lived with his family 
on a ranch about twelve miles west of Decatur, between Bridge- 
port and Chico. Bedsides the parents there were four children, 
Margie, an infant ; Dot, a boy, eight or nine years old ; Cassabianca, 
a young girl, and Court, an older boy. Making her home with 
the family also was a Mrs. Roberts, a youthful widow of very 
fair features. On the day of the fateful occurnuice all these 
were at home with the exception of the father, who was absent 
on duties in Arkansas, and Court, the oldest boy. 

Before reaching the Babb home in the afternoon, the Indians 
had spent the forenoon in terrorizing the people of the route 
over which they had i^asscnl, which began in Wise County 
beyond and west of Bridgeport and terminatcnl on the noi1 Invest 
border where they passed Out after the Babb massacre. There 
were only a few Indians in the Imnd, but their fatal accomi^lish- 
ments on this depredation substantiates the claim that a small 
body inflicted more frightful consequences than a larger and 
more unwieldy and slow-moving body. Soon after entering 
Wise County the savages met a negro teamster, and proceeded 
to make him their first victim. Furlhei- on they came across 
a man by the name of Armstrong, and gave him a wild chase 
for his life. Reaching the vicinity of the home of one of the 



MASSACRE AND CAPTURE OF THE BABB FAMILY. 175 

Woodward brothers, they had an encounter with George 
Buchanan, and speared a girl, Lona Buchanan, while she was 
drawing water from a well, though she was not killed. Reach- 
ing Mr. Floytl's home, they came near capturing a boy while he 
was about some duty at the corn crib. He saved his life by 
reaching the house aheatl of his pursuers. 

Two travelers from Decatur to Jack County — Lee Dean and 
Ase Henson — reached the Sandy Creek crossing just as the 
Indians came upon the' spot. The Indians charged immediately, 
and the men retraced their steps, post haste, to the point of 
departure. 

On Thorn Prairie the Indians next encountered a party of 
cattlemen, among whom were Ben Blanton, Lansing Hunt and 
Glenn Halsell. The fight was postponed until the home of 
Dick Couch was reached. This place was in the vicinity of 
Thorn Prairie and was used as a place of retreat by the cow-boys 
who expected assistance from another party of cowboys who 
were branding cattle in the Couch pen. In a very little while 
the Indians boldly assaulted the Couch premises and were 
repulsed. They were apparently bent on taking Blanton's 
horse, which they had seen was a very fine one. Old Dick 
Couch's long range rifle came again into service in these repeated 
charges by the redskins, keeping them at bay. While the men 
were barricaded in the house the Indians suddenly emerged 
afoot from a cluniji of timl3er and with great swiftness and nuich 
yelling and whooping drove the horses away from the corralls 
into captivity. At this juncture Ben Blanton stole away 
unnoticed and started to Decatur for re-inforcements. 

After capturing the horses the Indians departed. A few 
hours later Blanton returned to Couch's with the Decatur posse, 
and the departing trail of the Indians w^as taken up and followed, 
Halsell, Blanton and others going along. Sheriff" Bob Gates, 
by chance on duty in the vicinity at the time, also joined the 
posse in pursuit of the Indians. 

The trail led straight towards the Babb home, and three miles 
of traveling brought the imrty to this place. All was silent 
al)Out the house, but the evidences of plunder and pillage were 
everywhere visible. Apparently the ruin of the Russell family 



176 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUXTY. 

had been duplicated. The feathers from the beds scattered about 
the yard resembled snow. The household effects had been piled 
in a heap and burned. The men looked into the house and a piti- 
ful scene met their gaze. Mrs. Babb lay with her throat cut from 
ear to ear; the blood had streamed out over the body, and the 
infant child, in its efforts to imbibe nourishment, had dyed 
itself in the crimson stain. The other members of the family 
were nowhere to be found and the logical conclusion \A'as that 
they had been taken captive. 

The men were beside themselves with anger and the desire 
of revenge. The child was transferred to the home of a neigh- 
bor, the Andersons, and the trail of the Indians again taken up. 
Far out on the Wichitas the jaded horses gave out and the party 
was forced to return, not having made preparations for an ex- 
tended journey. The cunning, fiendish, (juick-striking savages 
had perpetrated their hellish work and escaped with a swiftness 
that made pursuit almost a foolish undertaking. 

The details of that which occurred when the Intlians bon* down 
on the Babb home were learned later from Mrs. Roberts who 
was taken into captivity. The two children, Dot and Bank 
(Cassabianca) were found in the yard and immediately 
taken in charge. At the sight of the Indians, Mrs. Roberts had 
sought safety in the loft above the room; Mrs. Babb had re- 
mained to make a h(n"oic fight for her children, during which the 
gaping tleath wound in her throat was inflicted. At the striking 
of this blow, Mrs. Roberts hatl screamed, which revealed her 
wlun-eabouts to the Indians, who immediately laid their strong 
hands upon her. After sacking the house, Mrs. Roberts and 
the two children were put upon horses and cari'ied away. Mrs. 
Roberts' very attractive features no doubt actuated the Indians 
with the idea of retaining rather than killing and leaving her 
behind. 

Arriving in the vicinity of Red River, Mrs. Roberts made an 
unsuccessful attempt at escape which separated her from the 
Babb chiklren; her recapture was accomplished by a second 
band of Indians. The Babb children remained with the Indians 
about a year, when, through the agency of the celebrated negro, 



MASSACRE AND CAPTURE OF THE BABB FAMILY. 177 

Britt, they were purcha^^od upon the payment of a large number 
of horses. 

In Mr. Hilory Bedford's vokmie, "Texas IncUan Troubles". 
Colonel George Pickett, of Wise County, one of the first on the 
scene after the murder of the Babb family, tells of Mrs. Roberts' 
experiences and final escape from the Indians as follows: ''The 
beauty of this young woman had, no doubt, saved her life. At 
the massacre the Indians had stolen one of Babb's fine race- 
horses, and upon him the widow was placed and led away to 
the Indian Territory. Twenty miles beyond Red River they 
stopped and arranged for this accomplished young woman to 
marry their chief two moons later. So they placed her in charge, 
to be kept during that period. Under this guard she was sepa- 
rated from the main camp. One night when the moon was full- 
orbed to shine all night, antl no clouds to obscure its brilliancy, 
she saw that Babb's fine race-horse had been staked out near 
her tent. When the old squaw was sound asleep, she slipped 
away to the horse, and, placing a rope around his nose for a 
bridle, sprang astride his back and galloped away unnoticed. 
After a twenty-mile ride she reached Red River and, to her 
dismay, observed that its waters were very high. By the light 
of the moon she could see the drift logs and trash floating down 
the stream, and with fear gazed upon the turbulent water. The 
horse pressed forward, impatient of being held in check, and 
desirous, it seemed, of crossing to the other side. She con- 
templated death as the most probable result if she undertook 
the task, but remembered that hesitation meant worse than 
death, for she would be compelled to marry that dusky demon 
The rein slackened and in plunged horse and rider. Time 
passed slowly to her as the waters rolled and tumbled about, 
and the fast drifting logs passed on either side, but the horse 
was one of great power and nerve, and finally reached the other 
bank in safety. Rising on the Texas side from what had seemed 
like a watery grave, they were safe from the hand of the cruel 
foe. Out they sped through the river bottom and up across 
the hills to a large prairie. Fatigued by the ride and excite- 
ment of the journey, she stopped her noble horse and tied him 
to a small tree, and lay down to take a much needed rest, just 

12 



178 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

as the day was beginning to dawn. Near midday she was 
awakened by the tramping of horses' feet near, and, springing 
up, found herself surrounded by another band of Indians. Her 
flight had ended in a second capture, this time by Comanches. 
They placed her on a horse and took her far away from the 
settlements near the head of Red River, to their Indian village. 
Again she was doomed to marry a chief, and again was placed 
in the hands of an old squaw; but the marriage this time was 
to be three moons away. A cultured and refined woman was 
doomed to marry a savage. She was a remarkable woman 
whom, though far away from her Texas home and friends, never 
lost hope nor courage, unbearable as was her captivity. An- 
other opportunity to escape at last came. Again at night on 
the same horse, she made her escape, and to elude her cruel 
masters, galloped away in the opposite direction from her home. 
Fortunate was she this time, for she found the trail of a wagon 
train next day, which she followed rapidly, at last overtaking 
the train of freight wagons. With these freighters she journeyed 
to Fort Supply, where she became accjuainted with a Kansas 
family whom she accompanied to their Kansas liome. She was 
afterward married to a prosperous stockman. She raised a 
large family, and still lives, loved and respected by a large circle 
of friends." 

THE MURDER OF NICK DAWSON. 

The details of the following description of the murder of \ick 
Dawson are derived from Mr. H. G. Bedford's book, entitled, 
"Texas Indian Troubles," and from the statement of living 
pioneers who are ac(iuainte(l witli the facts. 

Nick Dawson was a well-known citizen living in the southeast 
part of th(^ county, near the ])resent town of Rhome, and for a 
number of years was the chief sui)port of his widowed mother 
and several brothers and sisters, but at the time of his death he 
was living to himself, the other membei's of his family being his 
wife and a Choctaw Indian l)oy whom he had taken to raise. 

Dawson ranched out on the liigh prairies in a locality through 
which the Indians customarily passed in their circular sweeps 



THE MURDER OF NICK DAWSON. 179 

through the county. He had become accustomed to Indian 
attacks, and his body bore marks of many dangerous encounters 
with the terrorizing fiends of the frontier. So bravely had he 
acted out his part on the manifokl occasions when it had been 
necessary for the settlers to offer united defense to the country, 
that he became generally respected and admired. His death 
was deeply deploretl by all the frontier citizens who today recall 
the circumstance as one of the most celebrated of the times. 

The killing occurred in regions contiguous to Morris Branch, 
where Dawson had gone in search of a fine marc turned loose 
on the range. The only witnesses to the outrage were the 
murderous perpetrators themselves and the unfortunate victim, 
a fact which makes conclusions in regard thereto more specu- 
lative than specifically correct. But notwithstanding this, a 
pretty well-defined idea of that which occurred has been generally 
accepted as the true facts. 

It appears that, in his search for the mare, Dawson had 
descended into the low valley which formed the basin about 
the head of Morris Branch. In a bunch of thickly-set timber 
and briers at a distance he discovered what he took to be a body 
of cowmen on horses, and naturally he rode toward them, hoping 
to learn news of his mare. But when a few yards off" from the 
grove he discovered the men to be Indians, about forty five in 
number, and within a few moments he was speeding across the 
prairie in the opposite direction, with the Indians coming like 
mad on his trail. Dawson was riding a horse noted for his running 
ciualities, and the distance covered in the wild chase was some- 
thing like three miles, at the termination of which the savages 
closed in upon him, shot him to death, scalped him and butchered 
his body in a most horrible manner. 

In the chase the Indians are thought to have adopted the 
tactics which they resorted to in every experience of this kind, 
tactics, it may well be said, from which a pursued victim rarely, 
if ever, escaped, and which perhaps accounted for Dawson's 
tleath, even though mounted as he was on a horse the superior 
of any the Indians rode. 

At the beginning of the run the Indians separated into a 
wide flying colunm, the extreme ends of which bore down on 



180 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

Dawson, depriving him of the advantage of eirciiitoiis routes 
and forcing him across defiles and to the ascent of grades which 
exliausted the energies of his horse and stole from him his 
precious tim(\ At the end of so cunning a policy, when Daw- 
son's horse had fagged, the red-faces ran upon him and com- 
mitted their hellish barbarism. 

That night the C'hoctaw boy, who was devoted to his guardian, 
sprang up in bed and cried out, "Uncle Nick is killed and the 
Indians have scalped him." Sure enough, the next day he was 
found bearing the marks which had so strangely appeared to 
the boy in his shadowy presentiment. 

AVith the coming of night the Indians stole an unusually large 
number of horses, and created such excitement throughout the 
county that a large force of citizens united to intercept their 
advance as they were leaving the country. A fight and recap- 
ture of the horses took place very early the following morning 
near the old Conelly place, a few miles north of Decatiu*. In 
this fight, besides a large number of others, the following en- 
gaged: Captain George Stevens, Jess Fullingim, Tom and Henry 
Jennings, Carlo Ball, Dick Reiger, John Wallace, Jim Reiger, 
Choc Perrin, Charley Jones, Bob and Jeff Wallace, Bill Carroll, 
Hub Earp, George and Hugh Kelly. John Gose, Sr., and John 
Smith. 

These men and others got together during the night, camping 
at a large i)lum thicket near the Conelly place. At about sun- 
rise the Indians were seen approaching the ambuscade that had 
been prejmrcHl for them; on the way they had to pass by the 
house and field of Charlie Jones, wh(M-e they got down and took 
some green corn from the i)atch. A little further on out, 
on the high hill, they killed a hog and were in the act of partak- 
ing of this meat when they were boldly charged by the armed 
band of citizens: The Indians ran down the hill to the west, 
and turned loose a fusillade of shots at the pursuing white men, 
who, undeterred, came on at a headlong rush. In the charge 
George Kelley rc'ceived a ball thi'ough the foot which also broke 
his horse's leg. 

At the base of the hill the Indians separated and entered the 
timber, fleeing in all directions, "and after dodging several 



CAPT. IRA long's HOT ENGAGEMENT. 181 

charges, finally escaped, going northwest. Durhig the fighting 
when the Indians scattered, the men likewise separated into 
individual groups and chased whatever number of Indians ap- 
peared before them. John Wallace and Dick Reiger detached 
one and gave him a strenuous mile and a half chase, when the 
Indian eluded them in the timber just at the moment when 
Reiger collided with a tree with such force as to disable him. 
Jess Fullingim also got a big chief hedged away from his band, 
and was having a merry time with him when the Indian sud- 
denly realized his isolated position and made a desperate 
dash for freedom, in which he was successful. 

During the fighting a medicine bag was shot off one of the 
Indians, which in the earlier part of the fray was seen to be 
strapped to him. The bag was made of buckskin and painted 
a bright red. Its contents revealed many bandages and weeds 
and herbs of various kinds, denoting its contemplated use in 
cases of injury. 

The white men believed that they succeeded in wounding, if 
not killing, some of these Indians, but so carefully did the latter 
guard these facts that there was no way of learning the truth. 
Among the horses recovered, about 130 head in all, was the horse 
which Nick Dawson had ridden at the time of his death, also 
the mare 'for which he had gone in search. Besides these, there 
were other effects belonging to the unfortunate settler, his 
saddle, spurs, bridle, articles of his clothing, etc. 

This ambuscatle of the Indians by the settlers proved to be 
very successful and perhaps had a deterrent influence when ' 
subseciuent raids were being contemplated. 

CAPT. IRA long's HOT ENGAGEMENT. 

In 1874 the legislature of Texas, in n^sponse to the clamor of 
the outraged citizenship of the frontier, authorized the organiza- 
tion and equipment of an unusually large number of ranger com- 
panies for service in the section exposed to Intlian attack. 

Capt. George Stevens, of Wise County, was awarded a com- 
mission to raise a company which he did by securing the member- 
ship of a large number of Wise County men. Among these was 



182 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

Capt. Ira Long, who was elected Second Lieutenant of the com- 
pany. 

On June 19, of the above year, Capt. Stevens and 75 men 
moved out further in the van of settlements, going into camp 
on the Brazos River. After spending further time at Ft. Murray 
and at Flint Creek, Jack County, Capt. Long was detached from 
Stevens' company and placed in command of Major John B. 
Jones' escort, with which he traveled as far south as Kerr County. 
Major Jones was superior in connnand of the frontier forces. 
After some time had elapsed, Capt. Long came back up the line 
and was placed in command of the Stevens company, Capt. 
Stevens having been relieved. 

In the spring of 1875, Major Jones visited Capt. Long's com- 
pany in camp at Rains Springs in the lower end of Lost Valley, 
Jack County, and while he was present at the camp a runner 
notified the command .that a ranch four miles away, belonging 
to Jim Loving, had been raided, and the horses driven off by the 
Indians. Maj. Jones and Capt. Long took each a scout of ten 
men and started on the trail. Because of an epidemic of 
measles in the camp it was thought expedient to separate the 
men into two groups,' which prevented the unexposed or unaffect- 
ed men from being contaminated with the disease. The two 
scouts w^re thus riding at some distance apart with Capt. Long 
and Major Jones between them, when at some distance off a 
man was observed standing under a tree. The two officers turned 
their glasses upon him, at which the man seemed to take fright 
and disappeared into the woods. Capt. Long alighted to examine 
the tracks, and while he was on the ground some members of 
the scout shouted the alarm of Indians. The captain speedil}- 
remounted and both scouts set off in rapid pursuit of the Indians, 
afterwards discovered to number seven. A chase of three miles 
ensued, the men firing upon the redskins as soon as they had 
come within pistol range. Capt. Long, if not leading the colunm, 
was well towards the front, and fired the first shot, which brought 
one of the bi-aves tumbling to the ground. This Indian had 
turned upon Capt. Long an instant before he was fatally pierced 
with a Inillet. Six Indians were now left and destined to be 
exterminated by the flving band of intre))id rangers. 



DEATH OF CONELLY AND WEATHERBY, ETC. 183 

Being now close pushed the savages formed rapidly into a 
" horse shoe circle," and prepared to make a stand for their lives. 
Straight into the ambuscade dashed Capt. Long at the head of 
his men, while the Indians were delivering a withering fire from 
their Winchesters. One of them having been unhorsed, was on 
the ground, deliberately aiming and firing. A leaden messenger 
cleaved the brain of the Captain's horse and down came horse 
and rider. Some swift moments were occupied by Capt. Long 
in regaining his feet and reloading his gun, during which, the 
savage was advancing upon him and firing with a pistol. With 
another shot, however, at such close range, he might have killed 
the Captain, but at this crisis when the Indian had approach- 
ed within four feet, Captain Long delivered a well-directed 
shot which put the savage out of existence. The Captain 
was remounted and continued in the chase, which resulted in 
the killing of six of the seven Indians which originally had be- 
gun the engagement. 

Capt. Longtook the scalp of the first Indian killed in the fight, 
the one he had shot himself. He also made a collection of other 
articles of savage dress and presented them to Gov. Richard 
Coke, and these are now retained as relics in the Capitol at 
Austin. 

THE DEATH OF CONELLY AND WEATHERBY AiND THE WOUNDING 
OF CLABE CATES. 

Mr. Clabe Cates, of Decatur, was one of the first men from 
Wise County to enlist in the frontier protection service after 
the Federal garrisons had been withdrawn and the Confederate 
force installed. 

On May 7, 18(51, Mr. Cates, accompanied l)y Tip Conelly and 
Tom Weatherby, of Wise County, went to Camp Cooper, in 
Young County, and enlisted in the ranger service, being assigned 
to Col. Buck Berry's conmiand. In September a scout of twenty 
men, including Cates, Conelly and Weatherby, were in camp 
on Si)ring Creek near what now would be Round Timber in 
Clay County, engagetl in guarding the frontier line from Red 
River to Camp Cooper. 



184 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

One day a supply train of wagons came through guarded by 
ten men of Company H, and on return, when these men were 
within twelve miles of the Spring Creek camp, they were attacketl 
by a band of about eighty Kiowa and Comanche Indians, and 
harassed for a distance of about ten miles, which brought them 
within two miles of the above named camp. Here the Indians 
stopped knowing of the existence of the camp so near to which 
they had dared to come. During this ten-mile fight the coura- 
geous little band of ten had been able to save itself from total 
extermination only by standing boldly to arms at every forward 
sweep of the intimidating savages. Backward they slowly 
retreated to within two miles of the camp where the Indians 
abandoned the chase. During the fighting Jim McGee, of Tar- 
rant County, was wounded, and died that night in Camp at 
Spring Creek where the men had sought protection. Six other 
men had been wounded and several horses killed. Some of 
the Indians were killed and wounded, but how many was not 
known. 

In a few days Col. Berry came to the camp with re-inforce- 
ments and the command of 42 men departed for a forty days' 
campaign in the Pan Handle. After about twelve miles of 
traveling the Little Wichita River was reached and the men 
were once again attacked by the same band of Indians, though 
this was a mild encounter. 

At about noon some trouble was had with the packmuk^s, a 
wild mule had bucked his pack, and fiVe men were detailed to 
drop behind and remedy the trouble. Two miles more were 
traversed by the main body and the men left behind not coming 
up, four others, Clabe Cates, Tip Conelly and Tom Weather by, 
of Wise County, and Gib Morris, of Cooke County, were sent 
back in search. 

These men reached the point where the first party had stopped 
to attend the nmle and were circling about the locality trying to 
find the ti'ail by which the first group had departed. Presently 
some frightened antelope appeared running on a high hill about 
300 yards to the west, and .the searching party, thinking the 
antelope wer(> fleeing from the five companions thought to be 
just beyond the hill, startetl in that direction, when to their 



DEATH OF CONELLY AND WEATHERBY, ETC. 185 

great amazom(^nt the eminenee suddenly became dark with 
a great band of IntUans. 

At the sight of the white men the Inthans came tearing down 
the hill bent upon capture and murder. The rangers turned 
the other w^ay and put steel to their horses. A spattering of 
shots and arrows whizzed about them, and in a little while Conelly 
and Weatherby ha(l been killed, Gates and Morris running on 
towards the river. 

The Indians paused for an instant at the corpses of the two 
dead men, and then continued wiklly after Gates and Morris. 
The latter was riding a good horse and escaped safely, but Gates' 
steed was very fat and slowed down in the race. Just at the 
bluffs of the river the Indians ran close enough to him to shoot 
an arrow^ into his head just above the left ear. Now they were 
upon him with raised spears to thrust him through. But at 
this critical moment he saved himself by presenting his gun. 
On antl on the deadly race continued. With every muscle and 
nerve taut. Gates rode for life. He spurred speed into his 
animal that seemed not to be in him. But all his efforts seemed 
destinetl to avail him no escape nor advantage. He must 
sacrifice his life to savage cruelty and barbarism. '^uc\\ was 
the dismal trend of his thoughts when in another moment more 
he raised his eyes to behold Gol. Berry and men coming to the 
rescue. Morris had reached the men and brought them back! 

Gates' great gladness was swiftly cut short. Blood had 
crimsoned his face over, and his long frontiersman hair was 
sailing about in the wind. The men mistook him for an Indian 
and were about to fire when he halloetl to them to stop, which 
they did, but not before they had given him a second terrible 
fright. 

The Indians had already stopped and dismounted for an in- 
stant to catch breath, but the oncoming rangers put them in 
saddle again, and a fifteen mile flight for their own safety lay 
before them. 

On the way they were closely pressed, some of them were shot, 
and many of them dropped baggage, horses, saddles, biidles and 
othqr equipments along the route. But finally they escaped 
and the men returned to the burial of the two comrades, Weather- 



186 PIOXf:ER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

by and Conelly. They found them s(*al])ed and naked and 
brutally butchered. Digging graves on the spot they put them 
away in the best manner possible, and continued in their danger- 
ous work. 

Gates rode thirty miles with the spike sticking in his head, 
the switch having been broken off by one of the rangers who 
had come to his rescue. His horse being fagged and he him- 
self wounded and bleeding, he joined the pack train until he 
could reach Ft. Cooper, from where he came home to Decatur 
on a twelve days' fiu'lough. On returning to his Company the 
command was discharged, but immediately sworn into the 
Confederate Army, in which service Mr. Cates remained until 
the end of the war. 

* C.\PTAIN EARHART's EXPLOITS. 

Captain J. B. Earhart, father of Lif. Earhart, of Lubbock 
County, Mrs. Joe Henry Martin, of Chico, and Mrs. Julia F. 
Halsell, of Decatur and others, was one of the most sul^stantial 
citizens and most effective peace officers of his section of the 
country. For a number of years he conducted a prosperous 
ranch on Hog Eye Prairie, just over the line in Jack County, 
and also for a period of years was the active captain of a militia 
company that did effective service in saving that section from 
more than common harrassment by the Indians. 

The summer following the war was a time when the local 
indiisti'ies were in a state of revival. The cattle business was 
again growing profitable and with this went an increase of values 
of all other property. Horses being necessary in the cattle 
business, wcrv scarce and highly prized, and unusual j^recautions 
were taken at this time to save them from caiJture by the Indians. 

One summer night in 1865 Capt. Earhart and two hands — 
Jim Hardin and Jess, a negro — went out a distance of about 
three hundred yards from the house to stake out the cow horses 
for the night's grazing. There were rumors of the presence of 
Indians in the country and Capt. Earhart had decided to stand 
guard that night over the horses. The field in which the horses 
were to be staked lay across the ci-eek north of the house, and 



CAPTAIN EARHART's EXPLOITS. 187 

was surrounded by a high stake and ridered fence. After 
attending to the horses the negro Jess was placed on the south- 
west corner of the field to guard the approaches from that 
direction. Capt. Earhart and Jim Hardin took station at a 
point on the north string of fence. By agreement it was arranged 
that Hardin should stand first guard, where upon Capt. Earhart 
turned his attention to arranging his bed for the few hours of sleep 
before him. While he was spreading and patting down the 
quilts his attention was attracted to two dark objects appearing 
now and then at the corners of the fence, very stealthily ap- 
proaching the spot where he stood. He gazed thus for some 
time speculating on what the approaching objects could be, 
when apparently he arrived at a satisfying conclusion, for, 
raising his guil, without a word of warning to Hardin, he turned 
loose both barrels of his old musket, each one of which contained 
twenty-four buckshot, into the midst of the crawling forms. At 
the report of the gun one of the objects rolled over and straight- 
ened out, the other broke through the fence and ran towards 
the staked horses. Presently Jim Hardin looked and saw two 
Indians riding away on one horse. Capt. Earhart had decided 
that the forms coming towards him were Indians bent on getting 
his horses, and subsequent revelations proved his decision correct. 

Following this act of the drama, the negro, Jess, was called 
and the Indian was dragged to the house, where much excite- 
ment and anxiety had been occasioned by the gun report. The 
Indian had a quiver, bow and arrows, and was wearing an old 
over-shirt, moccasins and leggings, and, strangest of all, his hair 
was cui'ly, which led to the belief that he was a white man. His 
general features, however, were those of an Indian. Nc^xt 
morning before breakfast this rar(^ victim was scalped and the 
body carried away and buried. A thrifty neighbor woman 
asked the captain why he didn't make soap of the Indian. "The 
red devil was too poor," replied the jovial frontiersman Some 
months after this occurrence the bones of the dead Indian be- 
came exhumed and scattered, and it is report(>d by the Earhart 
family that there seemed to be enough of them to litter the 
world, so gruesome and depressing was the sight. 

Finally Captain Earhart left Hog Eye Prairie and moved 



188 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

down near the present town of Chico, in Wise County. He still 
continued a large cattle owner, and as a consequence kept a 
large company of hands about his ranch. One day these were 
all away on business, leaving only Captain Earhart and his 
family on the premises. A short distance away a bunch of 
horses were grazing, when, without the slightest advance warn- 
ing, they were suddenly surrounded by Indians and taken into 
captivity. Captain Earhart had two good guns on the place, and 
with one of these he began to fire at the savages. His daughter, 
who is now Mrs. Joe Henry Martin, of Chico, stood at his 
side with the other gun, and as fast as one would be emptied 
she would reload and hand it back. Under this arrangement 
Captain Earhart was so rapid and effective in his firing that the 
Indians abandoned the horses and sought safety in flight. Such 
instances as this of daring and coolness were of common occur- 
rence during those years of trouble, when the very spirit of the 
times tended to cultivate individual bravery in the people who 
were enforced to endure the afflictions of the hour. 

CAPTURE OF THE BALL BOYS. 

From Carlo Ball, a veteran of the old times recently returned 
for a visit to Decatur from his home in thc^ Pan Handle. tlu> ff)l- 
lowing brief facts concerning the cai)ture of his Ijrother and 
cousin in the fall of 1866 from near the home of Mosc Ball, a 
few miles north of Decatur, were learned. 

The two boys captured were Jim and )Mllie Ball, the first 
about nine years old and the latter about eight. Little Jim had 
been sent on an errand to a n(>ighbor's house, Press Walker, 
about a mile away, to borrow a hand saw. On the way over 
he stopped at the home of a relative and induced Willie Ball to 
accompany him. While both were on the road, seven Kiowa 
Indians suddenly i)oun('e(l upon them and bore them off in the 
direction of th(> reservation. Cai'lo Ball was cow-hunting in 
the Black (^reek country when the news of the ca]:)ture of his 
relatives reached him, and he inunediately went to the locality 
of capture and set out over the trail alone in pursuit. The 
capture occurred about ten o'clock in the morning and Mr. Ball 



KILLING OF JOHNSON MILLER. 189 

followed the trail until dark, when at the line of Jack and Wise 
Counties he turned back. On the route he saw in mud at the 
edge of a pool of water the imprints of the hands of the two 
boys, where they had stopped to tlriiik. 

The boys remained in captivity about a year, and when res- 
cued, told some of the incidents of the capture and journey. 
Following three days of successive traveling they were blind- 
folded and separated, a different group of Indians taking each 
one, the final destination being Council Grove, Kansas, where, 
when found, the government had bought Jim and placed him 
in school. Later, Willie was secured from another tribe by a 
neighbor of the Balls and an uncle of the boys who, on the same 
journey, obtained Jim and several other captives. 

Mr. Green, the neighbor, had made a long search of the differ- 
ent reservations before the two Ball boys were located. Having 
reached home they displayed no desire to return to a future 
life with the Indians. 

KILLING OF JOHNSON MILLER. 

Johnson Miller was a bachelor between forty-five and fifty 
years of age. He had come into the county from Michigan, and 
was a skillful workman in wood, an occupation of much useful- 
ners in pioneer days. He had been employed at assisting to 
build the court house, doubtless doing the major part of the 
work. At the time of his murder he was at work in West Fork 
bottom getting out timber for making wagons, furniture, etc., 
but had been called that day to Decatur, March 25, 1866, to 
make a coffin for Mrs. Hardwick, who had died. 

Bob Sensibaugh and Browder were at work with him 

in the bottoms and the doomed man had ridden Sensibaugh's 
fine horse to town, expecting to return upon completion of his 
task. 

He had been quite careless about exposing himself to Indian 
attack and had been frequently admonished of th(> danger, but 
his reply had usually been of a frivolous nature. 

On his return to the camp on West Fork this day, he was 
chased by the Indians, overtaken, murdered and scalped, and 



190 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

his clothing hung up in a tree, all within a mile or so of the camp. 
The Indians took his horse which, as was said, was a good one. 
Miller was rather a mysterious character, but was hard work- 
ing and economical and is believed to have left a quantity of 
money biu'ied somewhere in this vicinity. 

BRAVE FIGHT OF FRANK COONIS. 

One (lay during a i)eriod when the Indians had been ^'ery 
active, Frank Coonis left his father-in-law's home near Green- 
wood, and started to Hickory Plains, where he had been informed 
a white citizen had recaptured some stolen horses from the 
Indians. Coonis and his father-in-law had lost some horses 
the day before and he made the trip to Hickory Plains, thinking 
possibly some of the recaptured horses belonged to him. 

Next morning he had not returned and the neighbors grew 
suspicious, wagging their heads over Coonis' probable fate. 

Wm. Weatherby, Sr., Ishmael Copeland, Jim Cooly and 

Montgomery started in search. Along the route the buzzards 
circled over the carcasses of horses killed by Indians on a re- 
cent raid through the country. Arriving in the vicinity of the 
old Keep ranch house, which had been empty for two years, 
Weatherby was moved to ride by and look in at the windows. 
His attention had been attracted to the buzzards slowly wheeling 
about th(^ house. Here he encountered a gruesome sight. 
Lying with his head resting on his coat was Coonis, with a great 
ugly wound in his neck and blood spattered about the floor. 
The window casings showed bloody imprints of hands as did 
also the parts of the neck about the death wound, indicating 
that changing holds of the casing and neck alternately with his 
hands, Coonis had fought the Indians a couragc^ous fight from 
the window. The shells in the chambers of his two pistols were 
all fired, with the exception of one, which was snapped. 
Evidently he had bravely defended himself, but with what 
damage to the Indians no one knew. 

Weatherby crawled upon the corncrib and signaled to his 
companions to come and assist in the tlisi)osition of their dead 
neighbor's body. 



PLEAS BRYANT WOUNDED. 191 



DEATH OF GEORGE HALSELL. 

The death of George Halsell occurred in Clay County in 1868. 
Accompanied by Pete Hardin and others, Halsell was in the 
employ of Pickett and AVaggoner, cattlemen of Wise County. 

The Indians had been harassing the cow camp for several 
days, when one day Hardin and Halsell were caught away and 
given a hard chase. Coming to a crossing of a creek, at which 
point the Indians were nearly upon them, Hardin dismounted 
and hastily secreted himself in some brush. He hatl hardly got 
in position when a big Indian dismounted near him and took 
deliberate aim and fired at George Halsell, who by this time was 
ascending the opposite bank. The shot took effect immediately, 
bringing instant death. Hardin lay quietly in the thicket with 
his pistol cocked on its only two loads, while the Indians tramped 
about in the brush in search of him. He remained here for 
perhaps a day and night, hiding in the brush and trees. 

The body of George Halsell was brought to Wise County by 
Charlie Thompson and others, who volunteered to go after it. 

PLEAS BRYANT WOUNDED. 

The following brief statement is formed of Captain Charlie 
Thompson's and Charles D. Cates' descrpition of the engage- 
ment which resulted in the wounding of Pleas Bryant : 

Quite late one night three young men, Charlie Cates, Charlie 
Thompson and Jim Beck, were returning to their home, a few 
miles south of Decatur, from a party given at the home of 
James Proctor, who lived then just on the east edge of the town. 
Reaching a point a little way from Proctor's, the group parted, 
Cates and Beck continuing on south to their homes in Walnut 
Creek Valley, and Thompson turning to the right to go to Mr. 
Hardwick's, with which family he lived. 

Just as Thompson reached the edge of the timber and while 
riding leisurely in the night, musing over the lovely pioneer 
girls from whom he had but recently separated, he suddenly 
emerged into a large bunch of horses standing stock still and 
showing no sign of fright at his presence. 



192 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

He made some kind of noise, and as he did so a most unex- 
pected transformation took place. On the back of e^'ery horse 
a dastardly savage appeared, and in a moment more, Captain 
Thompson had yielded the quiet dreamings and musings of 
the night and was dashing post haste through the timl)er, with 
a bunch of yelling savages at his heels. 

Knowing perfectly the trails through the timber, he soon 
eluded his chasers antl passetl on to the Hardwick home, where 
he placed Mrs. Hardwick and the two chiklren, Frank and 
Charlie, in a cellar beneath the floor for safety. Then he set 
out to alarm the neighborhood. While going rapidly from 
home to home, his mind was in a state of great excitement, 
which enabled him to vividly recall his sudden encounter with 
the Indians, and the celerity with which the latter swayed to 
their saddles from their bent and hidden positions at the sides 
of the horses. 

Further down in the valley he overtook Cates and Beck, who, 
learning the news of the Indians, set out down the prairie 
country towards Oliver Creek, informing each settler whose 
home was passed. 

The Indians passtnl down toward this creek and picketl 
up about 300 horses. Out on the prairie they circled to 
the north and took a course out of the county, that led them 
by the town of Decatur, whence they changed to a northwest 
direction. 

vSome time before sunrise a crowd had concentrated at De- 
catur and were soon out upon the trail, in an effort to retake 
the captured stock antl kill as many Indians as possible. 

By hard riding the Indians were overtaken just this side of 
Cumby's Prairie, about twenty miles northwest of Decatur. 
Here the Indians, upon discovering that they were being fol- 
lowed, ambuscaded themselves in a dry hollow and prepared- 
to defend themselves and stolen property. The band of Indians 
numbered about forty-five, whereas a very much smaller num- 
ber of citizens were to fight them. The Indians had taken 
advantage of their forewarning, and when the settlers came up, 
were in a position from which they could not be dislodged, 
without great cost to the white men. Nevertheless thev were 



PLEAS BRYANT WOUNDED. 193 

boldly charged. During the onrush Milton Shoemaker's horse 
was shot from under him, and Pleas Bryant received a ball in 
his thigh. Great confusion ensued, but soon the settlers dis- 
covered the ^ odds to be greatly against them and withdrew, 
leaving the Indians to pass out, apparently unharmed, carrying 
a large number of stolen stock with them. 

CAPTURE AND DETENTION OF RAN VEASY. 

The brighter side of life of the middle pioneer period is in- 
definably associated with the subject of this sketch. " Old 
Ran's " name and " fiddlin' " personality generates glad retro- 
spective visions of the stately reel and the delirious " do-se-do " 
of the old-time back country " square dance." Accomplished 
as a "fiddler" of the most enlivening dance music, he has been 
the tlynamo of many frolicsome occasions, if not the essential 
personality of almost all the festal celebrations of the period 
through which he has lived to a {^resent venerable age. 

Some know that in politics he is an old time Jefferson Demo- 
crat; also that he served as a body guard to (len. Cabell through 
the Civil War, being political convictions, by the way, and 
character of service, that endear his memory to Southerners. 
But there are others who do not know that upon a fresh, rosy, 
morning in April, 1868, Ran, then a strong young man, was 
suddenly })ounce(l u|)on by the Indians and carried away into 
captivity. 

The old colored veteran lived at that time on the line of 
Montague and Wise Counties, as an employe on a ranch and 
farm. About sunrise of the afore-mentioned morning, Ran 
and a white man w(>nt out a short distance from the house to 
unhobble and bring in the work horses. On the way out they 
had to pass by a clump of thickly grown timber, but nothing 
unusual showed about this this morning. 

Reaching the horses Ran was down untying a hobble rope, 
when, on casually looking around he saw twenty Indians emerge 
from the timber which stood a few yards off, and come towards 
them. Ran told the white boy to grasp a post oak stick lying 
near and brandish it in order to simulate a gun play. As for 

13 



194 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

himself he threatened the savages with his Winchester which 
he had at hand. The white boy answered by jumping off a 
bkiff into a ravine and fleeing. The Indians came on up, some- 
thing in their demeanor causing Ran not to fire upon them. 
Reaching him a chief gruntingiy encjuired if " he would shoot 
em much," and made movements towards taking the horses. 
Ran resented the movements by again threatening with his gun 
which caused the redskins to hesitate and draw aside for a 
mumbled conversation. Ran's fate was settled at this council 
of war, for returning to the spot the Indians circled him and the 
horses with a buckskin rope and proceeded to make all captive. 

Ran was strapped astride a horse and placed under guard when 
the journey began. For three days and nights the direction of 
progress lay due north until the captive was brought to what 
he now believes was Medicine Lodge, Kansas. 

On the journey he suffered severely, the lashes binding him 
to the saddle cutting into the flesh, and the muscles growing sore 
from confinement to one position. He was given very little 
water, but he states that at one point on the route the Indians 
thrust the ground with their spears and water gushed forth 
abundantly. Here a buffalo paunch was filled, from which 
Ran later endeavored to drink, l)ut he had hardly raised the 
pouch to his mouth, when a big burly chief dealt him a stunning 
blow behind the ear. Reviving, he became furiously angry at 
such brutal treatment, but knew his better part was to remain 
unresistful. For food the party had fresh killed buffalo meat; 
this was cut in thin strips, wrapped round the end of a stick and 
broiled, then eatcni without salt. There was plenty of this for 
the whole camp. 

Ran remained with the Indians about three months, confined 
all the while to the great Indian Milage in the vicinity of Medi- 
cine Lodge. White traders did a flourishing business with the In- 
dians while he was there. They brought trinkets and supplies 
of all kinds to trade for moccasins, Ix-ads and property stolen 
from the settlements of Texas. 

After captivity of three months Ran's freedom w^as siH-urcnl 
through the negotiations of Negro Britt, a famous character 
in the Indian history of this section. 



CAPT. GEORGE STEVENS' FIGHT ON THE WICHITAS. 195 

Britt caiiie to the reservation ostensibly to take up his resi- 
dence with the Indians. But his real purpose was to find the 
whereabouts of his wife and children whom the Indians had 
captured in Texas some time before. He brought along nunier- 
our ponies, some of which had been turned over to him by Ran 
Veasy's friends in Texas to secure Ran's release. 

The terms of freedom were decided upon and Ran was placed 
on a very poor animal and permitted to depart. At first the 
Indians denied him his gun, but just before he started, Chief 
Big Tree came to him and handed him the wx^apon. At Ft. 
Arbuckle he met his Texas friends who brought him back to 
Texas. 

CAPT. GEORGE STEVENS, JOHN HOGG, AND THE JENNINGS 
brothers' fight on THE WICHITAS. 

One hot sunmier during the early seventies, when Capt. 
George Stevens was in conmiand of the ranger forces in Wise 
County, three mysterious Indians were discovered prowling 
through the regions in the northwest part of the county. Capt. 
Stevens set himself to watch these Indians taking with him a small 
number of his men. Among these were Tom and Henry Jen- 
nings, John W. Hogg (of Decatur), Dave Manning, Archer 
Watson, John Gose, Sr., Jim McCord and E. R. Stevens. The 
Indians turned and left the country going in the direction of 
Buffalo Springs, the men following. 

A distance of some se^^enty-five miles had been traversed, 
when one of the Jennings boys was taken ill, and it became 
necessary to contemplate the abandonment of the trail and 
returning home. This consultation occurred about seven miles 
beyond Buffalo Springs on the head of the east fork of the Little 
Wichita River, and just at the moment the men had decided 
to return home, three Indians were observed to come out boldly 
on a neighboring hill and stand watching the men. 

One of the Jennings spoke of a probable strategy on the part 
of the Indians, saying doubtless there were more Indians beyond 
the hill. But the intrepid Stevens gave the order to charge, 
and at the three Indians the men went. A short distance had 



196 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

been covered when sudtlenly a larger number of Indians joined 
their three companions. The men now halted and, seeing 
themselves outnumbered, retired into a grove of timber lying 
near at hantl, alongside a small dry canon running up the slope, 
where they hoped to gain protection. Hardly hatl they gotten 
their places when with terrible and fiendish yells and rattling 
of shields, the band of Indians, numbering near forty, came tear- 
ing down the hill towards them, shooting into the brush all the 
while and creating unearthly noises. 

Ai^parently their object was to frighten the men from the 
timber into the open, when they would be slaughtered, but the 
men, knowing the Indians' bluf!"ing tactics, retained their 
places anil returned such a fire as to hold the Indians aloof from 
the timber. 

After having separated and charged around the grove the 
redskins passed on below and reunited, then circled and returned 
to the hilltop. Here, within sountl of the beleagured men, a chief 
addressed the Indians. John Hogg asked Tom Jennings if 
he knew what the chief was saying. Jcnmings answered " No, 
but I know what they are going to do; they are going to run 
over us if they can." Capt. Stevens and Jennings then coun- 
seled coolness, deliberation and steady aim. The men realized 
their precarious situation and decided to sell out their lives as 
dearly as possible. 

At this juncture three Indians departed from the main group 
and went back over the hill, but presently returned, bringing up 
a still larger number of their tribe. The hill was now black with 
Indians, numbering perhaps 100. and ^he little band of whites 
in the timber, who saw all, was now ])ainfully conscious that only 
the greatest bravery and daring would save them their lives. 

More speechmaking now occurred on the hill, and pres(^ntly, 
when all was in readiness, the whole band of Indians swooped 
down on the grove, yelling and shooting until the atmosphere 
vibrated with a tempest of noises. The same tactics were 
pursued as before, but this time it was seen that sentinels had 
been dropped all round the hedged-in men, which convinced ihv 
latter that while the cowardly fiends were afraid to enter the 
thicket they had adopted means to prevent their escape. 



RAIDS AND KILLINGS — SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST WISE COUNTY. 197 

Until long in the middle of the afternoon the Indians made 
assault after assault, every one of which was repulsed by the 
nervy little band of whites. The Indians seemed to despair 
of ever being able to frighten the men from cover and began 
to draw away for the invention of new tactics. 

At one of these unguarded moments, previously solemnly 
decided upon by the men, the latter abandoned all their equip- 
ments and horses and crawled away afoot into the little dry 
branch, taking only guns and ammunition, and strangely enough, 
if the Indians saw them they did not try to stop the movement, 
leading the men to think that they were afraid to come within 
shooting distance. 

Capt. Stevens who had, as usual, exposed himself, was wounded 
in the hip and in the hand, and the ball from one of these 
wounds lodged in one of his boots. The men found great 
difficulty in escaping down the little ravirie, it being neces- 
sary for two of them to support Capt. Stevens all the way. 
But miraculously enough, all did escape, traveling afoot all 
afternoon and all night until they came to Joseph Marlett's, 
on the head of Sandy Creek, Wise County. Here a doctor was 
brought from Decatur to attend Capt. Stevens. The long walk 
under so many trials had almost completely exhausted the 
energies of the men and rendered them so footsore and blistered 
that they were in a precarious condition for many days. 

In late years Capt. Stevens and Mr. Hogg were awarded fine 
guns by the State Legislature in recognition of their bravery 
in this fight. 

RAIDS AND KILLINGS IN SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST WISE 
COUNTY. 

Some of the earliest settlements made in the county were 
those extending throughout the fertile regions of the south and 
southwest Wise County in the valleys of Salt and Garret's 
Creeks and West Fork River. The people were strong, original 
stock, with well equipped farms and large bunches of good horses 
and cattle. These settlements in Wise County, though sparse, 
extended from Paradise Prairie on the northwest, to the con- 



198 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

junction of Denton, Tarrant and ^^'is(' Counties on the south- 
west. Through this region extended the rich valleys before 
mentioned and herein among the few but prosperous settlers 
the Indians found a foraging ground which tempted them to 
repeated attack, murder and pillage. 

They began raiding and driving of!" the stock at about the 
commencement of the war. This soon brought on clashes with 
the settlers, and the Indians retaliated by inaugurating a mur- 
derous warfare, which extended over a period of several years 
and cost the settlements the lives of numerous of their best and 
bravest defenders. Jim Hanks' Militia Company of the Salt 
Creek region, and Ben Crews' company of Deep Creek, did all 
in their power to hold the Indians at bay, but in the face of the 
overpowering number of the latter and their stealth and subtle 
warfare, the minute companies were powerless to prevent the 
occasional murders and stealings committed. Some of the 
pioneers and descendants now living in those communities are 
Galley Stevens, J. K. Reed, Mrs. Adrena Wood, W. J. Mann, 
Paradise; J. K. P. Mathews, Soney Thomas, Opal; P. F. Lewis, 
Tom Geary, Newark; Mark Gates, Jim Hudson, Major Slimp, 
C. C. Leonard, Rhome; Andrew Mann, Jack and Dennis Pas- 
chall, and members of Boyd family, Boyd. From these the 
writer has obtained the following descriptions which constitute 
the essential points of the Indian depi'cMlations in these sec- 
tions. 

About the first killing and ca))ture occurring in that direction 
following the outbreak of the Indians, was ])erpetrated at the 
foot of Skeins Peak at the head of Salt Creek on the line of 
Parker and Wise County. Jim McKinney was returning with 
his wife and four children from a visit in Wise County to their 
home in Parker County. They were travelling in an ox wagon, 
and when reaching Skeins Peak were suddenly assaulted by a 
murderous band of Indians, who had either been lying in wait 
for, or following, them. McKinney and his wife and two chil- 
dren were shot to death and scalped, a little boy escaped into 
a branch, and the next, a little girl, was captured, carried seven or 
eio'ht miles to Osteen branch, and nuirdcM'ed, her dead bodv 



RAIDS AND KILLINGS — SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST WISE COUNTY. 199 

being found next clay by a party of scouts who were following 
the trail of the Indians. 



One Sabbath day in the summer of 1803 a band of twenty-five 
Indians encountered a man named Long on the road in a region 
approximate to the present town of Paradise, close to what 
was known as the \'ernon place. Long was killed and scalped, 
after which the Indians passed to the Vernon place, and finding 
three little children playing about the premises began to pour into 
their midst a hot fire of poisonous arrows. All the victims were 
wounded, and it is thought that one of them died later from the 
severe injuries. The same day the Indians ran onto a -man 
named Buck Reynolds near the Jesse Kincannon farm and 
shot him .twice in the back with arrows, while he was fleeing 
toward Kincannon 's for safety. Wm. Kincannon heard the 
noise and ran out with a gun and frightened the Indians away. 
Stock stolen on this raid included a fine thresher team taken 
from Galley Stevens. 



Mrs. Adrena Woods, of Paradise, the widowed wife of Ab 
Wood, relates an exciting experience through which she and her 
husband passed during the raid of the Indians in which little 
Jesse Burress was cruelly murdered. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wood had repaired to a plum thicket and were 
tranquilly picking fruit in the spring sunshine when, without 
warning, the redskins appeared on the spot and sequestered 
their horses, after which they peered around in the bushes, 
hoping to find and murder the riders. Mr. and Mrs. AVood 
affrightedly observed their actions from a cou})le of "hog wal- 
lows" wherein they had quickly secreted their bodies. Not 
finding them, the Indians turned and rode away, but it was a 
harrowing experience for the plum gatherers, made all the more 
so by the fact that the "hog wallows" contained water. ' 

The Indians went on out in a northwest direction toward the 
home of Talse Burress, who lived about a mile northwest of 
Paradise Prairie. When about 200 yards this side of the house, 



200 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

between the latter and a little community graveyard, the In- 
dians came upon Jesse Burress, a small boy, while he was pick- 
ing berries. Very quickly and very brutally they shot and 
scalped the little boy, after which they passed out of the county. 



Press Perkins met a sad and solitary death. He lived on 
Salt Creek, about four miles south of the present town of Cotton- 
dale; he was married and about 35 years old. The last seen of 
him in life was when he started out in the morning to round up 
and bring in the ox-team. The next seen of him he was dead, 
his body filled with bullets and arrows, on the spot where John 
Looman and others of Waggoner's cow-hands found him. The 
Indians were coming into the county on this raid, having passed 
Galley Stevens' place, where they took a fine mare, with sixty 
feet of buffalo-hide lariat tied to her neck. 



These brief sketches point to one fatal and unerring conclu- 
sion, which is that the Indians never lost an ()i)portunity to kill 
and murder the people of this section. During these long and 
unhappy years no settler nor any member of his family dared 
to place their bodies in exposed places for an instant's time. 
Think of the terrible effects of this constant fear and api)re- 
hension on the heroic people who s^taid here to endure it all. 
Think how strong must have been their hearts, how muscular 
their bodies and how resolute their power of will. Think of 
them as the foundation of Wise County and the riddle of our 
present |)ride and growth is answ(M'ed. 



0. H. P. Reed, one of the very early settlers in the ParacUse 
country, lived on Rush Creek during the time of Indian danger. 
His son, J. K. Reed, of Paradise, related a thrilling episode which 
occurred at his father's plac(>. Johmiie Reed, a boy about 17, 



RAIDS AND KILLINGS — SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST WISE COUNTY. 201 

had gone a distance of perhaps 400 yards from the house to 
lariat some horses beyond a skirt of timber which fronted the 
house. Another httle brother crawled up high on a stack of 
old wheels in the corner of the yard to watch his brother, and 
while he was there he saw the Indians charge Johnnie while he 
was tying the horses, and at the same time he saw Johnnie 
start toward the house on a dead run with a big Indian at his 
heels. 

The little watcher screamed for a larger brother in the house, 
who was crippled, but the latter hobbled out with a gun in hand 
and took in the situation at once. Seeing the boy and the 
Indian coming up the path toward the house, he placed the gun 
in the fork of a dead tree and leveled it straight down the path 
toward the Indian. The latter was intensely occupied and had 
not observed this occurrence. On he came, gaining on the 
wildly frightened boy at every step. He was a big, greasy- 
looking buck, and was about to nab the boy when he looked up 
and saw the deadly gun bearing down on him. His stop was 
so sudden that he disturbed several square feet of earth, and 
his surprise was so great that he could not suppress a great yell 
of fright. Johnnie came on to the house, panting for breath, 
the Indian went the opposite direction post-haste. 



The first raid made in the extreme south })art of the county 
occurred in 1863, and for some strange reason no more depretla- 
tions were perpetrated there until after the war. But when 
the Indians resumed operations, they came thick and fast and 
in all seasons; almost every light of the moon for a number of 
years brought with it an Indian depredation. . 

The first fight after the war occurred in the winter of 1865. 
Thirty-two Indians were first seen above Springtown, Parker 
County, after which they came over into Wise County. About 
sundown they went into the field of Mrs. Lydia Gore and drove 
out some horses. Several neighbors had collected to follow 
and attack them. Shortly after dark the men had a mild en- 
counter with the Indians, but withdrew because of the dark- 



202 PIONEP]R HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

ness. A heavy snow fell after dark, and the Indians camped 
for the night. The next morning they left, and were followed 
as far as Sandy Creek, west of Decatur, where the trail was 
abandoned. Captain George Stevens soon got on the trail of 
these Indians, and it is stated that his scouts found the bodies 
of three dead Indians, supposed to have been wounded in the 
fight in the south part of the county. Some of the settlers men- 
tioned as having participated in the chase and fight are Frank 
Hoklen, negro Sang, Sol Hines, John Stack, T. J. Norville, Sam 
Copeland, Uriah Perkins, John Morris, Lycurgus Tackett, John 
Hill, Jack and Andy Gore, Jim Curley, Polk Mathews, Jack 
Smith, Elmore Black well. 



On Sunday, March 4, 1866, the citizen^^ of the settlement of 
which Opal is now the center had collected at the home of 
Anderson Smith for the piu'pose of religious worship. Parson 
Vernon was the prc^acher, and a large crowd of people had con- 
gregated. The minister had taken the stand, and for some time 
had been preaching, when a breathless rider named Brown 
dashed upon the ciuiet scene with a pack of Indians at his heels. 
Brown was on his way to church and was chargcnl b}'' the In- 
dians, whom he outran to Smith's. The Indians had camped 
the previous night at Earp's crossing, eight miles nortli of 
Smith's. 

The Indians ran Brown up to the very doors of the house, 
and of coin-se his sudden appearance under circumstances so 
exciting precipitated a mild panic. Men began to pour out of 
the house and run to their horses. As soon as their minds were 
cleared of confusion they arranged their defensive arms, and 
with one accord, started off in hot pursuit of the Indians, who 
fled in a northern direction. The chase lasted for about a mile, 
when the Indians, numbering about eight in the band, suddenly 
halted in a swag and began to form to receive the attack. The 
halting of the Indians found the men on a high rise south of the 
point at which the Indians had stopped. Seeing the Indians 
extending wings in i)reparation for battle, the men stopped, 



RAIDS AND KILLINGS — SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST WISE COUNTY. 203 

and observing that the Indians were maneuvering to .siirrovind 
them, two or three men, heatled by Jim Kearly, charged one 
of the wings, and at the same time all the settlers opened fire on 
the enemy. The Indians fought in a kintl of circular retreat 
until the white men had been worked into their fore. A settler 
by the name of Jim Sanders had already been shot and killed. 
The fight had now changed into a series of running assaults and 
retreats, both sides moving all the while toward the north. 
Another settler, John Mathews, received two arrows in the 
shoulder, while the neck of one of the Indians' horses had been 
creased b}^ a settler's bullet, which put the Indian afoot. The 
men poured a hot fire after him but he very swiftly overtook 
his comrades and was remounted. In the thick of the fight 
two settlers, Polk Mathews and a man named Gore, ran their 
horses together in a violent collision which threw Mathews to 
the ground, and while afoot a dog- wood switch arrow, projected 
by the Indians, penetrated the side of his head. The point was 
not metaled, and John Andrews had no trouble in removing it 
in the same fashion that Polk had before taken two from John's 
shoulder. 

During all this fight the Indians were laboring desperately to 
evade the repeated attacks of the settlers, and were fighting 
and running all the while. The settlers were now anxious 
about the death of Sanders and the injuries of the wounded, 
and drew away from the assault. The Indians took the oppor- 
tunity to flee the countiy. A depreciated number of theiu 
passed out by Waggoner's ranch, which is substantive of the 
settlers' claim that one or more of the Indians had been fatally 
wounded in the fight. 



The death of Alvin Clark in this section of the county was 
deplored as one of the sad occurrences of the period of troubles. 
Young Clark was generally well liked and was known to be one 
of the most courageous men in the community. His death oc- 
curred in June, 1866, and was as follows : 

A band of fifteen or twenty Indians passed down the region 
parallel with the Parker and Wise County line, going west. 



204 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

They came to Dry Branch in Garret Valley, where they found 
Mrs. Frank Hoklon, Mrs. Mary Kirby and negro Sang's mother 
doing' the family washing. Near at hand were some horses, 
and the Indians took these and passed on. A little further on 
the following citizens joined in an attempt to overtake the 
Indians and recapture the horses: Alvin and Tom Clark, Tom 
Howard, Jim Keasly, Frank Holden, negro Sang and others. 
The Indians ran by J. B. Thomas' farm, and here, cutting oats 
in the field, was another party of citizens who joined in the chase. 
These were Bob Thompson, Andy and Jack Gore, Louis Hutchin- 
son, Lige Keeling, J. B. Thomas and Soney Thomas. In about 
a mile and a half the men gained on the Indians and the latter 
stopped for fight in a black-jack grove swag in the flat woods 
country, near the corner of Ben Gilland's field. At the com- 
mencement of the fight Alvin Clark jumped from his horse for 
better shooting; at the same time it occurred to the settlers 
that the Indians had chosen an advantageous position from 
which it would be fatal to attempt to drive them, whereupon 
they withdrc^w to await more favorable surroundings. Alvin 
Clark had becni detained on account of the unmanageableness 
of his horse, and it was while trying to control his steed that the 
Indians charged him. By this time he had mounted and fled 
down a fence row, entirely cut off from his comrades. Two 
Indians were at his horse's heels shooting with gun and l^ow. 
Finally Clark reeled from his saddle and fell dead. He had 
already dropped his gun and pistol, having emptied both in the 
fight. He was shot seven times, with four arrows and three 
balls. Very quickly the Indians scalped their victim, then fled 
in a northwest direction. A short distance away they ran into 
a bunch of cowboys and began shooting and running immedi- 
ately. In this second melee George Buckhanan, one of the 
cowboys, was wounded, but afterwards recovered. The In- 
dians made rapid progress until they had tleparted the country. 



No single exciting act culletl from the scenes of the most 
realistic clrama could be more thrilling than the following true 



RAIDS AND KILLINGS — SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST WISE COUNTY. 205 

occurrence, which the writer attempts to describe in language 
befitting the occasion. Pioneer citizen J. B. Thomas' farm lay 
over the line of Parker and Wise Counties in the community of 
which the present village of Opal is the center. On November 
3, 1800, threshing was in progress on this farm, the merry hum 
of the machine and the occasional shouts of the workers being 
the only noises to break the stillness. J. B. Thomas and his 
son, Soney Thomas, were on the stack pitching bundles to the 
feeder when they happened to glance across the field to see six 
Indians stealthily lay down the fence, come inside and approach 
the horses which the men had turned loose to graze in the field. 
Thomas and his son immediately gave the alarm and the elder 
Thomas slid off the stack, grasped the pistol of Jack Gore, one 
of the helpers, and started toward the Indians afoot. The other 
men quickly mounted horses about the thresher and set off 
after the Intlians, who had by this time tlriven the horses through 
the gap in the fence. Those in piu'suit were Jack and Andy 
Gore, Brice Mann, John and Bill Mathews, Soney Thomas and 
the latter's father. After passing through the gap the horses 
set for J. B. Thomas' home, a distance of three-quarters 
of a mile, the Indians pursuing and the men dashing after the 
Indians. In order to reach the house the horses traversed a 
circuitous route, and the Indians, in maneuvering to head off 
their course, worked around so far in the rear as to come up 
some distance behind the men. The latter were still going in 
the direction of the house when they came upon Uncle Johnnie 
Montgomery, an aged citizen of Parker County, to whom they 
quickly explained the object of their haste, imploring him to 
join them and ride to the house for safety. Uncle Johnnie was 
seventy-five years of age and was mounted on a very fine horse 
which he had just taken of!" the grass. Apparently he was more 
conscious of the danger of running his horse than he was of the 
danger to himself from Indian attack. Anyhow, he refused to 
accelerate his speed and jogged on toward the house alone. In 
a twinkling the Indians were upon him, shooting and yelling 
and brandishing arms. Uncle Johnnie now set off rapidly 
toward the house, but he had made the start too late. He was 
shot through the back, the ball penetrating the heart. His 



206 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

horse dashed on up to the yard gate and the rider reeled and fell 
dead at the fence. The horses had reached the lot, but when 
the men and Indians ran up, which was about the same time, 
they took fright and ran away again. The Indians, seeing them 
leave, followed and succeeded after all in capturing them. .The 
men were occupied with the dead man who had fallen at their 
feet. This all happened in less time than it takes to tell it. 
The men could have doubtless done more effective work if the 
successive movements had not been so quick and electrical. As 
it was, they were flushed out of a quiet scene and on to a swift 
and tragic climax before their senses could be roused to proper 
action. 



IncUan raids continued in this section of the county 
during all the period of troubles, but the following is recalled 
as about the last depredation, in which an unusually large 
number of Indians participated. In July, 18G6, several 
hundred Comanches entered the county, first being observed 
in a region five miles northwest of Springtown. In Parker 
they massacred a settler by the name of Briscoe, and his 
wife and four children, after which they robbed and plun- 
dered the house. Then they passed on to Lycurgus Tackett's 
and plundered his home, the women and children having 
escaped to the brush. Further on, at Uncle Johnnie Mont- 
gomery's, they stole the horse oft' of which he had previously 
been killed. Shortly after noon they entered Wise County, 
passing a place where Soney Thomas and Andy and James 
Elkins were hunting horses. The boys fled to placets of 
safety. -Soney Thomas ran to the Blackwell house, to which 
the Indians came soon after. Thomas th(>n ran to the Mathews 
home, and here the Indians came also in full force. Upwards 
of fifty of the I'elatives and neighbors had collected here for a 
social gathering, and many had left their horses tied at the fence. 
^^'hen the Indians appeared on the scene, great confusion fol- 
lowed, the children screamed and the women trembled. The 
Indians ran uj) and seized several horses. Some of the men 
started to retake the horses when the Intlians began shooting. 



BRIEF COMMENTS ON THE TIMES AND INDIAN MARAUDING. 207 

After getting the stock, the redskins passed out. About 200 
yards away they stopped, and probably 100 turned back. The 
people of the household thought their time had come, but that 
which had enticed the fiends to return was a large sugar-cane 
patch, w^iich they entered and helped themselves, after which 
they left the country, greatly to the relief of the imprisoned 
citizens. 

A FEW BRIEF COMMENTS ON THE TIMES AND INDIAN MARAUD- 
ING CHARACTERISTICS. 

The freedom and openness of pioneer life began to vanish with 
the initiation of hostilities between the North and South. The 
bantls of restriction tightened as Indian warfare grew fiercer 
and more bold. The people were now forced into the observ- 
ance of a narrow routine, out of which they went at the cost of 
their lives. Their daily occupations were retarded ami rendered 
extremely difhcult, while social intercourse was carried on under 
the most trying circumstances. The people could not now come 
and go as they willed, and were harassed with the ever immi- 
nent need of watchfulness and defense. Men became the stal- 
wart guardians of their homes and loved ones; their silent atti- 
tudes and stern, serious faces, with the ever-ready Winchester 
clasped for defense, making pictures worthy of being fashioned 
in bronze. 

The deadly weight of responsibility falling upon pioneer 
manhood, centering in the protection of wives, mothers and 
children, made the home life a beautiful and entrancing picture 
to contemplate. Standing between their families and death, 
men grew stalwart in character and increasingly affectionate 
in imjnvlse. Forced to a life approximate to the threshold, men 
came under the refining influences of women and children and 
grew in love and tenderness thereby. Exterior danger strength- 
ened his arm and heart, while enforced contact with intimate 
softening influences swelled his soul; the result was an en- 
nobled character and an elevated type of man. Mark the 
l^ioneer remaining with us, and these characteristics will he 
plainly obvious. 



208 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

Everywhere in the homes and in the fields it was a time of 
great dread aiul apprehension. Men plowed in the fields with 
arms buckled to their bodies, not tlaring to leave them even at 
the farther end of the rows; and as they trod the furrows a 
watchful eye was ever cast in the direction of home, anticipating 
that at any moment despairing screams would call them to the 
prevention of one of those dastardly crimes visited by the sneak- 
ing savage on defenseless women and children. Mothers kept 
their children huddled at the door-step, denying them the free 
range of the adjoining fields and timber. Too many sudden 
captures of children strolling away from home had intervened 
for the little ones to be granted the freedom which their youthful 
impulses craved. 

So great was the tension of the times that any unusual and 
weird noise was sufficient to i^recipitate alarm and fright. A 
bellowing bull in the woods by throwing a rasping note into his 
clarion voice could rouse a househokl into a state of palpitating 
fear or start a lone rider in the woods careering for safety. Any 
citizen who would not go constantly armed was looked upon 
by his more prudent brothers with suspicion and it was a man- 
date of tlie times that every settler carry defensive weapons. 
Those beautiful lights of the moon, so pleasurable in this g(>ntle 
time of peace, were periods of the sublimest suffering to tjic 
pioneers, for all those bright occasions were darkly shadowed 
by the fear of the visits of the Indians, who invariably chose 
them for their time of descent upon the settlements. The great 
glimmering calcium poured forth its rays on many a sad and 
realistic drama (>nact(>d by its aid and under the influence of its 
existence. 

Trained as are our imaginations and broad as is our knowl- 
edge of history, we of this gentle hour can entertain no concep- 
tion adequate to the appreciation of the degree of anguish and 
suffering which our fathers and mothers experienced during 
these dragging years of danger and pain. 

Advertence to a page of description and notes of savage char- 
acteristics and marauding practices will be apjDropriate at this 
juncture. 

The tribes mostly addicted to depretlating here were the 



BRIEF COMMENTS ON THE TIMES AND INDIAN MARAUDING. 209 

Comanches, Kiowas, Cacldos and certain others, but the first 
named were the most brutal and most dreaded. They came in 
small and largo bands, in all seasons of the year, but always 
during the full brilliance of the moon; the latter agency assist- 
ing them to locate live stock and to see their way of rapid escape 
out of the country when pursued. On many occasions they 
came afoot, bringing a few worthless ponies used as pack ani- 
mals. After they had stolen enough horses to mount them- 
selves, these pack animals were abandoned on the trail. So 
sparse were the settlements that the Indians could advance well 
into the heart of them without being observed. If arriving in 
the day time, secluded places would be sought for hiding until 
the sleeping shadows of night made a cover for their nefarious 
work. Many a citizen whose daily occupation led his way un- 
warily by a band of ambuscaded Indians has paid the penalty 
with his life. The redskins were very partial to sugar-cane, 
melons, fruit and green corn, and often left evidences of their 
stolen visits in the patches or orchards of the settlers. 

By virtue of former occupancy, the Indians were intimately 
acquainted with the topography of the country and were thus 
not hindered by unfamiliarity on their visits. They possibly 
knew more of the country than the settlers themselves, having 
led a roving life over it for so many years. This advantage 
gave them many favorable points in their fiendish warfare. 

The Indians rarely attacked at night, knowing the tlarkness 
placed the odds against them in possible encounters with the 
pioneer marksmen. They shot arrows with unerring aim and 
great force, the arrow sometimes passing through the body of 
the victim. After they began to exchange horses and Indian 
ware with ruthless speculators for guns, they became a more 
disastrous foe than ever. Their fiendish delight was to murder 
white men and take their scalps for trophies, and their object in 
taking women and children into captivity was to hold them for 
ransom. A beautiful woman captive would be spared by them 
because of the excitation of their barbarous lusts. An aged or 
irregularly featured woman would be murdered. 

The Indians were strangers to pity, controlled by the instincts 
of beastliness, and were dirty, greasy and sullen. The cruelty 



210 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

of their warfare on the people of this section is unsurpassed in 
any history of any country. 

EPOCH-MARKING EVENT IN SAVAGE DEPREDATION HISTORY LAST 

RAID IN WISE COUNTY — ASSASSINATION OF THE HUFF 
FAMILY. 

Changing events centering around the early seventies indicate 
that the pressure of the white civilization on the frontier was on 
the eve of surging beyond the boundaries which the red man 
had established and guardetl with fiendish retahation for so 
many years. A decade of prostration and apathy had brought 
renewed strength to the frontier, and its people arose with new 
courage and energy to confront the foe who for so long had 
been the victor. 

There is no evidence that the Indian warfare had abated in 
the least; in fact as the years retreated from the early years of 
the war, danger from the Indian gradually grew in volume and 
proportion until it became by far the most momentous question 
of the forward settlements. But in 1870 and thereabout, the 
Anglo spirit was again manifesting itself ; it arose from a slum- 
brous period to challenge the sway of an inferior race who, for 
some incomprehensible reason, had been permitted to tyrannize 
and dominate. But just at this juncture a very significant 
series of events were in a state of transpiration which in their 
final results aided materially in bringing ultimate peace to the 
harried land. 

Early in the spi'ing of 1871, Captain Julian Fields', of Mans- 
field, Tarrant County, started a wagon-train, drawn by thirty- 
six fine mules, from Jacksboro to Ft . Griffin , in Shackleford County, 
to convey a consignment of flour, which he agreed to deliver to 
the United. States forces per terms of contract. Nine miles from 
the present town of Graham in Young County, on Salt Creek 
prairie, the train was assaulted by about loO Kiowa Indians, 
led by their chiefs, Satanta, Satank and Big Tree, and all the 
teamsters but two were nuu-d(M'ed, the fine wagons burned and 
the valuable Missouri mules taken into captivity to the reserva- 
tion at Ft. Sill. 



EPOCH-MARKING EVENT IN SAVAGE DEPREDATION HISTORY. 211 

Not many hours before this sanguinary occurrence, General 
W. T. Sherman had passed over the spot, going from fort to 
fort on a tour of inspection. He was at or near Ft. Richardson, 
Jacksboro, when the Salt Creek massacre occurred. General 
Sherman and the general government's attention had been often 
attracted to the terrible Indian atrocities here on the frontier, 
but guided by prejudicial reports from Northern newspapers 
demanding mercy for the Indian and actuated by that state of 
indifference that occurs beyond the radius and realization of 
danger, the government had taken only perfunctory steps to 
render assistance. 

Because of this state of affairs, General Sherman's proximity 
to the latest terrible affair was a portentuous circumstance for 
the frontier. He immediately set about to make an investiga- 
tion and dispatched General Mclvinzie to the vicinity of the 
murder for the verification of the details, and ordained a court 
of influential pioneer citizens at Jacksboro, who thoroughly laid 
before him the afflictions of the frontier. 

General Sherman passed on to Ft. Sill, and while there obtained 
through the Indian agent, Tatum, the names of the tribes and 
individuals who had connnitted the atrocious Salt Creek deed. 
These latter had returned from the scene of their crime and 
boasted as to how the crime was committed. The chiefs above 
referred to were now ordered under arrest by General Sherman 
and returned to Jacksboro for civil trial. Judge Chas. Soward, 
of Decatur, presided at the trial and assessed the punishment 
made necessary by the verdict of guilty returned by the jury, 
at death by hanging. The writer has not space to mention the 
spectacular events of this noted trial, and only the part it bears 
in the ending of the Indian troubles is to l^e dwelt upon. Fur- 
ther details will l^e found in Josiah Wilbarger's History, as well 
as in Mr. Bedford's volume eutitletl, "Te>:as Indian Troubles." 
The sentences of death })assetl against the chiefs were afterward 
connnuted to life imprisonment and the}^ were confined in the 
penitentiary. This proceeding was concurred in by Judge 
Soward and Indian Agent Tatum, who both recommended 
commutation to Governor E. J. Davis, being convinced that 



212 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUXTY. 

confinement would have more salutary effects on the wild tribes 
than capital punishment. 

Judge Soward has prepared a statement for the present writer 
which has not been reproduced in either of the books referred 
to. The statement deals with the sequel to the above trials 
and convictions and sets forth the agreement reached by the 
Governor of Texas, the agent representing the United States, 
and the Indians, as .well as being substantiative of the profoundly 
beneficial results of the trial which led to the conviction of the 
chiefs. 



SEQUEL OF THE TRIAL AND CONVICTION OF SATANTA AND BIG 

TREE, AT JACKSBORO, JULY 8, 1871, BY JUDGE 

CHARLES SOWARD, OF DECATUR. 

''The punishment of these Indians having been commuted 
by the Governor of Texas from death to imprisonment for life, 
they were conveyed by the sheriff of Jack County to the peni- 
tentiary at Huntsville, Texas, in a covered wagon accompanied 
by a guard of United States cavalry, furnished by Colonel Mc- 
Kinzie of the Sixth U. S. Cavalry. After remaining in the 
penitentiary for some time, a treaty was made between the 
United States authorities and the Indian tribes located on the 
Ft. Sill reservation, which was joined in by the Governor of 
Texas, whereby all of the Indians were to be considered on parole 
and were to answer to roll call ovcvy morning. Under this 
agreement the Governor of Texas agreed to return Satanta and 
Big Tree to the reservation and they were to remain on ])arole. 
It was further provided that if any such Indians should fail to 
answer to roll call or thereby violate their parole, such, except- 
ing Satanta antl Big Tree, should be arrested by the United 
States authorities and conveyed to San Augustine, Florida, and 
that in case Satanta or Big Tree, or either of them, violated their 
parole they should be by such authority arrested and returned 
to the penitentiary of Texas. 

After this treaty was made and Satanta and Big Tree were 
released uj^on the Sill reservation, there was one big raid made 
by a ninnl^er of these Indians into Texas; this was some time 



SEQUEL OF THE TRIAL AND CONVICTION OF SATANTA, ETC. 213 

in 1874, and it was in tliis raid that the Huff family, of Wise 
County, were murdered. Upon tlie return of these renegade 
Indians to the reservation they were all arrested per terms of 
the treaty before mentioned, and in all 135 were sent to San 
Augustine, Florida. Satanta, who violated his parole, was re- 
turned to the penitentiary of Texas and soon thereafter com- 
mitted suicide by throwing himself from the balcony in the peni- 
tentiary. 

This put an end to the Indian raids in Texas. Big Tree did 
not violate his parole, and is now living ujjon a ranch not far 
from Lawton, Oklahoma. He has reformed and is a ''Christ 
man" now, so that trial and conviction resultetl in putting a 
stop to Indian raids in Texas." 

The statement of Judge Soward explains the steps that were 
being taken by the civil and military arms to bring the outlawed 
tribes under submission. These indeed were effective and far- 
reaching in importance, but additional discouragement to 
savage invasions were now being presented by the inthronging 
settlers who pushed in in the face of warfare and added their 
strength to the defensive efforts of the people. 

Certain letters have come into the hands of the writer from 
which quotations are made which point to improvements which 
were going forward in the moral and industrial tone of the 
frontier. 

In January, 1870, a Decatur citizen writes that there have 
been no Indians in the county for three months and ''most of 
our citizens who moved away are moving back again. The 
county, although on the borders, is establishing three good 
schools, at Prairie Point, on Deep Creek and at Decatur." A 
traveler in the county the following year speaks of Boyd's Mill 
in the south part, a town having been located soon after the war, 
as now "having a postoffice, steam mill, and two dry goods 
stores." "While there," continues this observer, "I was in- 
formed of a new town that had sprung up two miles away and 
rode by. On the roadside is a handsome new store, kept by 
Mounts and Stevens, while Young and Woods are constructing 
another neat dry goods house. This place we propose to christen 
'Aurora.'" A Decatur citizen, writing to the Denton Monitor 



214 PIONEER HISTORY OF AVISE COUNTY. 

in March, 1869, says, among other things: "Since the Indian 
troubles ended our citizens who moved from the county and 
those who moved to town during the fall and winter for safety, 
have returned to their homes and gone to work. They are repair- 
ing and enlarging their farms and houses, planting orchards, 
etc. Mechanics, too, have' gone to work and our merchants 
have caught the spirit of the times. Our Charlie, of the enter- 
prising firm of Gates and Woods, went over with Bob Collins 
and Billy Mounts when they went 'glimmering' to buy a new 
and heavy stock of goods. * * * While others are awake, 
Captain Shoemaker will have some nice things to please our 
eyes and lighten our pockets. [Captain Shoemaker kept a tav- 
ern.] The Seminary at this place under the control of the ex- 
cellent Professor J. D. White, is destined to be one of the fixed 
institutions of the county. Since the Indian troubles ceased, 
towns of which we little dreamed twelve months ago are spring- 
ing up." 

The above conununication is thought to have been penned by 
Colonel G. B. Pickett. 

Captain Thomas L. Stanfield, now a veteran attorney of 
Terrell, Texas, in those days a youthful legal light of the (iounty 
seat, was at this time intervening in the behalf of the citizens 
for the re-establishment of the much-needed mail lines. The 
mail continued to be brought from Denton. A line was wanted 
from Ft. Worth via Decatur to Montague and Gainsville, in 
order to supply mail facilities to the growing settlements and 
towns in the north and south parts of the county. In one of 
his letters to Congi-essman John C. Conner, beseeching the aifl 
of the latter in efforts to secure mail routes, Captain Stanfic^ld 
adds the following significant postscrij)! : "Wise County is filling 
up rapidly with Mississippi, Louisiana and Georgia Democrats. 
Bully for Wise County, don't you say so?" Perhaps it would 
not have been well for the Republican postmaster general to 
have seen this latter confession, inasmuch as the writer thereof 
was supplicating his department for assistance. 

The above excerpts are conclusive that in about the year 1870 
the people of Wise County had relaxed to the supposition that 
the black cloud of Intlian danger had ])asse(l. They are also 



SEQUEL OF THE TRIAL AND CONVICTION OF SATANTA, ETC. 215 

conclusive that the social and industrial interests were swelling 
and progressing toward newer and brighter prosperit3^ Immi- 
grants were pouring in, new settlements starting up and countless 
acres of virgin soil being upturned for planting. 

Outside a few insignificant stealing raids perpetrated by the 
Indians, these wholesome conditions continued until August, 
1874, when like lightning out of a clear sky, the Indians perpe- 
trated one of the most horrible crimes ever committed in the 
county. It was their manner of bidding a horrible adieu to 
the people, for never again did they return for maurauding 
purposes. This memorable last raid in Wise County is given in 
detail by Mr. J. D. White in an article contributed to the Wise 
County Messenger; also by Mr. Bedford in his volume and orally 
to the writer by Mr. John Wasson and others. There are some 
differences in smaller details in the statements of these authori- 
ties, who all are a unit on general features. 

In the band were about thirty Comanche Indians.* Passing 
down Sandy Creek from a northwest direction, they left the cross 
timbers and came onto the prairie near the Newman place, some 
four or five miles southeast of Decatur. This was at night and 
the moon was shining brightly. During the night they swept 
over the regions of Oliver, Sweetwater and Catlett Creeks, and 
at about daylight or shortly after, crossed that creek into the 
neighborhood of John W. Hogg's farm and turned up the divide 
between Catlett and Black Creeks, going northwest, carrying a 
large number of horses belonging to settlers and Denton and 
Tarrant County stockmen. These latter ranged their stock in 
Wise County. 

The news of the presence of the Indians began to circulate 
before day, and already a crowd of ten had started in pursuit 
from D(^catur. A party of Denton and Tarrant stockmen were 
coming from another direction and Mr. White and his neighbor 
had started before breakfast, these latter overtaking the party 
from Decatur within a few miles. Of these last persons, Mr. 



* Judge Sow.ard places the number in excess of this, but it is presumable 
that the Wise County band was one small division of the larger number 
which left the reservation. 



216 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

White can only recall Henry and Tom Jennings, Wni. Hodges, 
Beavers, Pierce Stevens and John Wasson. 

It was now only a few miles to Sandy Creek, the route lying 
through one of the new settlements that had sprung up. The 
men spurred up, occasionally seeing the dust ahead stirred 
by the stolen horses. Mr. White says here: "After they had 
gone a few more miles we -found that they had checked up, 
and we supposed that they had stopped to give us a fight, l)ut 
having arrived at the point, we found that they had stopped for 
a far more dastardly purpose." Before the pursuers stood the 
crude frontier home of the Huff family, the unchinked cracks 
between the logs testifying to its newness, as well as the sense 
of security felt by its occupants. 

The Huff family consisted of Mr. Huff, the father, Sam Huff, 
a son, the wife and two grown daughters, Molly and Palestine. 
Mr. White continues: "Mr. Huff" and son were away from home; 
when we reached the house we found the mother lying partly 
under the floor where she had no doubt attempted to hide. 
One of the daughters lay near the door on the outside ; the other 
was out about twenty yards from the house. The daughters 
had evidently tried to save themselves by flight . All were dead 
and scalped and otherwise horribly mutilated. The shock of 
this terrible crime halted our men but a moment. Well do I 
remember the heroic look of Henry Jennings and the fire in his 
eyes as he pointed forward and exclaimed, "We must catch 
them before they get to Sandy; come on, boys." The men 
spurred forward to Sandy Creek and discovered the Indians in 
ambush on the opposite bank in a dense bottom filled with 
timber and briars. They stopped on the deep, perpendicular 
bank of the creek which they could not descend to get across. 
They turned loose a round of shot into the thicket, but saw 
nothing or heard nothing. Then they crossed the creek below 
this point and opposed the Indians from the other side. A 
few redskins came to the edge of the thicket and fired at the 
men, the latter holding their positions and returning the fire. 
While this firing was in progress the remainder of the Indians 
were preparing to leave. The shooting party of Indians disap- 



RESULT OF THE HUFF MASSACRE. 217 

peared, and the entire band of Indians sneaked down the creek 
bed and escaped on choice horses. 

The horses were now driven out of the thicket and counted; 
about 400 were found, a large number of which were turned over 
to the Denton and Tarrant County men who came up after the 
fight. 

After the encounter the men returned to the Huff house and 
buried the three unfortunate women in one wagon bed, this 
being the only convenience found at the time. Some time later 
a party of neighbors and citizens from Decatur uncovered the 
remains and gave them burial in separate graves. 

RESULT OF THE HUFF MASSACRE — END OF TROUBLES — 
SUMMING UP. 

The system of discipline and watchfulness described by Judge 
Soward as having been adopted by virtue of the general treaty 
entered into between the government and the Indians, wherein 
the chiefs were to be given their liberty and the tribesmen to 
manifest their daily presence on the reservation by answering 
to roll call, was facilitated and made possible by the vigorous 
and effective campaign prosecuted against the Indians by Gen- 
eral McKinzie, who, following the Salt Creek massacre, marched 
against the Indians in their strongholds in the Pan Handle and 
administered such effective punishment as to convince them of 
the strength and seriousness of the Federal i^ower. 

General McKinzie, a man highly commended by writers of 
the period, forced the Indians into a state of subjection by 
capturing their prized horses and killing .them before their eyes, 
after which they were driven onto the reservation at Ft. Sill. 
The Indians were then sufficiently humbled and subdued to 
enter into the above agreement described by Judge Soward. 

As referred specifically to Wise County, the savages kept the 
peace for a year or so, and the people had partially returned to 
a normal sense of comfort and safety, when, like an electrical 
shock, they were again precipitated into an abyss of gloom by 
the foul murder of the Huff women. 

But the few months of repose and freedom from attack pre- 



218 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

ceeding this occurrence had brought renewed strength and 
courage to the invaUd community. Intelligence of the safe and 
peaceful conditions here, traveling abroad, had influenced a 
rapid inthronging of new settlers and the return of many who 
had fled at the approach of danger. The new, and the 
strengthened and encouraged old now joined arms and prepared 
to wage a robust and determined warfare against the cowardly 
foe. There was to be no further flight from danger, no further 
pause of arms, no indifference, and no (juarter given, but in their 
stead a relentless and bloody retahatioh and defense. 

Simultaneously with this growth of confidence and courage, 
the two government forces enlarged and intensified their efforts 
at restraint and punishment. Following the Huff murder, the 
Federal power exacted a full expiation of the penalty provided 
in the aforementioned treaty, resulting in the banishment and 
confinement of the guilty Indians as described by Judge So ward. 
The state encouraged and equipped its flying ranger forces and 
so stationed them about the frontier as to make watchfulness 
and interception of the Indians most thorough and complete. 

Mr. Paddock states that "the effective and active campaign 
of the regulars and rangers forced the Indians to gilence on their 
reservations in the territory or to roam further away from civil- 
ization on the uninhabited plains with the buffalo;" and "in 
1874 the state sent a battalion of rangers to assist the regular 
troops in repelling the incursions of the savages; this was one 
of the moves which brought the long and harassing game be- 
tween the red man and the white man to a close. The last In- 
dian war-whoop was still vivid in memory when the welcome 
whistle of the locomotive pierced the frontier- country and an- 
nounced forever civilized dominion." 

In the latter connection Mr. Bedford ri'flects the rejuvenated 
feeling ol^taining after the abatement of the savage warfare. 
He says: "I well remember how every one who had been living 
about us in such terrible dread, when this end had been accom- 
plished by McKinzie, took new courage, and ranch property 
soon doubled and trebled in value. People who had abandoned 
their homes soon returned to them, and in the short space of a 
few years prosperity, as a wave, swept all along our whole 



RESULT OF THE HUFF MASSACRE. 219 

frontier, and those who had liorne with such patience and 
fortitude the privations and trials of this terrible ordeal felt 
most its invigorating influence, and many of them are today 
living in comfort and enjoying the peace and pleasures purchased 
by their suffering, as well as by the blood and tears of many 
noble people who had fallen victims to arrows, lances, scalping 
knives and other cruelties of these red demons." 

The Indian menace passed like a horrid dream in the night. 
The suffocating weight lifted from its jjrey and the prostrate 
form of the country lapsetl into that soft sleep following pro- 
longed and exhaustive efforts at vigilance and defense. Wise 
County, torn, crippled, shredded, ransacked, by nearly twenty 
years of civil w^ar and barbarian devastation, breathed now the 
first few breaths that come as the faint returning signs of restora- 
tion to life. But ere long, such was the resourcefulness of the 
land and people that the breath of life grew more rapid and the 
pulse-beats more strong and turgid. Industries revived, life 
grew tranc^uil and normal, and the people, without fear or re- 
striction of any kind, began to participate in the full enjoyments 
of their sphere and station in life. 

" Oh! these were hours when thrilling joys repaid 

A long, long course of darkness, doubts, and fears — 
The heartsick faintness of the hope delayed, 

The waste, the woe, the bloodshed and the tears. 
That tracked with terror twenty rolling years." 

— Scott: Lord of the Inles. 

The foregoing chapters reflect the twenty years of tempestuous 
life through which Wise County passed. It is now 1874 and the 
year of the culmination of all her trials and afflictions inherent 
in the pioneer state. The peculiar nature of the events in 
suspension at this date resolve the latter into one which marks 
the transformation of the county from a state of virgin crudity 
to one bearing the distinguishing features of civilization's be- 
ginnings*. Here pioneerism fades gradually in modernism. Let 
us have a brief resume of the country's troubles and changing 
epochs: first, the difficulty of subjugating the raw land; next, 
inherent pioneer hardships; thirdly, prolonged drouth and insect 



220 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

pests; fourth, the withering touch of civil war; fifth, the ter- 
rible blight of Indian rapacity and carnage of many years' dura- 
tion. The last of these spent its force in 1874 — since that date 
the county has had to deal with factors and forces of no such 
violence as characterized any of the severest of the above cata- 
logue of afflictions. Contrary wise, its later existence has grown 
smoothly and constantly toward peace and development. 

The sixth great evil operating with deterrent force against the 
development of the county up to this date was the sub-division 
of the county into large tracts and bodies of land, held in pos- 
session by outside citizens and political and railroad corpora- 
tions. By virtue of the act of the legislature granting large 
tracts of the public domain to the individual counties for school 
purposes, Wise County was entered previous to the time of her 
becoming an organized county and nearly three-fourths of her 
territory filed upon to be held until the legislature granted such 
counties authority to convert same into bonds or money. 

The legislature withheld this authority for years and thus 
three-fourths of Wise County lands were unavailable for settle- 
ment. The large railroad surveys, principal of which, perhaps, 
was the B. B. B. & Co., the original venture of the kintl in the 
state, remained solidified against division. Colonel W. H. Hunt 
retained possession over almost the whole of western Wise 
County, which holdings, upon being entangled in legal proceed- 
ings, were withdrawn from settlement. But along in the early 
seventies these restrictions melted away. Upon gaining au- 
thority from the legislature, the counties holding school lands 
here, some of which were Cooke, Grayson, Bell, Hunt and 
Matagorda, and many others, hastened to put their lands on 
the market, at the same time advertising their offerings, which 
induced the rapid innnigration which is another of the significant 
occurrences distinguishing this particular time. Then it was 
that the "Mississippi, (xeorgia and Alabama Democrats" began 
to pour in. Such lands as described were obtainable on t(M-ms 
of $3.00 per acre upon payment of one-tenth of the principal at 
purchase, and one-tenth and interest annually until the debt was 
liquidated. 

A period distinguished by pioneer har(lshi]:»s, di'outh. i)ests, 



RESULT OF THE HUFF MASSACRE. 221 

war, Indian troubles antl land difficulties all came to a happy 
conclusion in about the year 1874, the era being still further 
brightened by the defeat. of the despot Davis and the election 
of the good, brave Coke to the governorship of Texas. 

Thus most auspiciously ended the true pioneer troubles of 
Wise County, and bravely had a small band of her patriotic 
citizens stood shoulder to shoulder together to ward off the foe, 
who, hurling defiance in every conceivable form, remained only 
to surrender and give way to an irresistible race — the sturdy, 
honest, brave, rugged pioneer mothers and fathers of Wise 
County. 



SECTION P^ U R 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



"History is tlio essence of iimuiiKTable Biograpliies ". Carlyle. 

The following sketches and photographs represent a majority 
of the pioneer people of Wise County who attained to distinc- 
tion and places of prominence in the affairs of the pioneer county. 
A sprinkling of their descendants is also included. There are 
some well-known subjects who have not been included in this 
honored company — this because it has been found inconv(>nient 
to obtain the essential facts of their Uves. 

The aim of the compiler has been to perpetliat(> the memory 
of the citizens who befriended the county throughout th(> period 
of its greatest struggles; a second aim has been to transmit to 
posterity the noble examples of their lives and a record of the 
resplendent virtues which they represented. 

The space to be allotted is limited and the list of those to be 
portrayed is long ; it is therefore in the interest of economy that 
only the essential facts are given. But that these worthy faces 
and brief facts may cling in the minds of those who contemplate 
these pages is the object of their being placed here. 



ABSALOM BISHOP. 

The successive events of Colonel Absalom Bishop's life l)egan 
on May 4, 1804, when he was born in Pendleton District, So'uth 
Carolina. He came from rugged farnun- stock, having a mixture 
of Scotch, Irish and Welsii blood in his veins. He was married 
to Mary Tippen, born in the same district, January 25, 1808, 
and to the union six children were born, the last surviving 
member being Mrs. Edward Blythe, who died in \Mse County 
(222) 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 223 

May 28, 1907. Of the family in Wise County there only remain 
now the two sons of Mrs. Blythe, Ed and Bob. 

Colonel Bishop's early life was spent in merchandising in 
Spring Place and other {)laces in the State of Georgia. Here 
he also became active in politics, and in 1837 entered the Semi- 
nole ^Yav in Florida. He went in as a captain of militia, and it 
is perhaps due to promotions that the title of Colonel was 
gained. Some- experiences are related of him in this campaign: 
one is that he, with nine of his men, (^ptured and confined 
seventy-five outlaw Indians; another is that he intercepted and 
held the noted writer of the song, "Home, Sweet Home," John 
Howard Payne, who for some unexplained reason, aj)i)eared 
on the fronti(n- of Florida at a time when the government was 
detaining all unknown or suspicious characters. Payne in his 
memoirs afterwartls referred to Bishop as the "Smooth and 
silky Absalom." 

Colonel Bishop was very activ(> in that phase of politics which 
surrounded the enforced removal of the Indians of (leorgia to 
reservations, and during the v(ny earliest inception of slavery 
agitation made the acquaintance of Robert Tombs and other 
leading pro-slavery agitators. His later manifestations of fiery 
rebelism in Texas may be ascribed to these early influenc(^s. In 
politics he finally became so radical as to necessitate his removal 
from Georgia, and he is then found seeking a residence in the 
North for a number of years. At Washington city he spent 
some time prosecuting certain cases for Georgia land claimants, 
and later on is living in New York city, engaged in the business 
of a jeweler and the manufacturing of gold pens. For three and 
a half years he lived here and then removed to Rochester, New 
York, where he formed a partnership with Codding, who is ac- 
counted with having invented the fountain j)en. Bishop and 
Codding were awarded a beautiful silver medal by the New York 
State Agricultural Society for the exhibition of a "case of su- 
perior new fountain pens." 

Colonel Bishop's residence in the centers of civilization was 
doubtless a probationaiy one resulting in the realization of his 
])redilection for frontier life. Accordingly he came to Hopkins 
County, Texas, in 18r)2, and for three years conducted a saw- 



224 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

mill. In 1855 ho joined the first comers to Wise County, arriv- 
ing and settling on Sweetwater Creek with the Blythe family 
in that year. At this point the narrative of Colonel Bishop's 
life is taken up and concluded in the foregoing pages, with the 
exception of the date of his death, which occurred at the resi- 
dence of Colonel J. W. Booth, whither he had been brought from 
his farm, in Decatur, on November 30, 1883. Mrs. Bishop died 
January 29, 1879. As Colonel Bishop's portrait reflects, he 
was rugged and masterful. His mental and physical courage 
and determination was exhibited on countless occasions. Im- 
mediately on arriving in Wise County, he set about to bring the 
territory into organized existence and never rested short of the 
accomplishment of his task. He also looked on the prairie- 
topped eminence resting near the center of the county, and 
decided that it was the place for the county seat. The long, hot 
war waged in its behalf has been described. 

By common consent, Bishop "ran things" as these were re- 
lated to the organization of the county and the location of 
the county capital. By all considerations of justice, he is en- 
titled to be named the county's best friend and the Father of 
Decatur. 

Colonel Bishop had settled in Decatur by the time the issues 
of civil strife became manifest. True to his former teachings, 
he became the fuming, sputtering fuse of rebellion that ignited 
all combustible materials within his reach. He was a fiery 
Southern loyalist and egged on the enthusiasm of defense in 
Wise County. He fervently addressed the county secession 
convention and was doubtless one of the direct causes of the 
volunteering for service of such an unusual number of young 
men from a spars(>ly settled frontier county. When the war 
began he was in business on the northwest corner of the sciuare 
in Decatur, and as a means of displaying openly his sentiments 
he had a large Confederate flag {minted in bright colors across 
his store front. When Lee surrendered and the country was 
filled with Federal guards and soldiers, it became necessary to 
obliterate this emblem of rebel glory. Doubtless it was one of 
the saddest days of Bishop's life when he went to paint out, 
cover up and hide the Southern flag. One application of paint 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 225 

refused to conceal the outlines, and another and still another 
was required. Like the Southern armies and the virtues of the 
Southern cause, more than one drubbing was required to van- 
tjuish them from the contemplation of men. 

Colonel Bishop's broad experience and metropolitan training 
peculiarly fitted him for the task of converting a raw territory 
into an organized form of government, as well as for assisting 
to mold the rough elements of a frontier life into the shapings 
of civilization, and we who delight in present attainments glance 
backward to him for their genesis. 



WILLIAM HUDSON HUNT. 

Like Bishop in one respect, the sul^ject of this sketch brought 
with him to Wise County the garnered experiences of broad con- 
tact with life, and in addition thereto a collegiate training which 
enabled him to observe with a systematic and trained mind, all 
the large issues and transactions with which he had come in 
contact. 

William Hudson Hunt was born in Ithaca, N. Y., the first day 
of May, 1815. His father, Horace W. Hunt, was for many years 
a resident of New York city, where he was a co-laborer in the 
American Bible House. The Hunt line of ancestry runs back 
to the sixteenth century, and springs directly from what is 
known as the Northampton line which is inclusive of some of 
the most exceptional personages of the realm of English art and 
culture, notably, Leigh Hunt, the poet, Holman Hunt, the great 
artist, and Richard W. Hunt, the artist-architect. Throughout 
his life on the frontier of Texas, Wm. Hudson Hunt displayed 
the evidences of these rich heritages. Endowed with high intel- 
lect and consequent original action of mind, he is found at the age 
of twenty-one, a college graduate, breaking loose from the old 
moorings of civilization and adventurously striking into the little 
known and dangerous wilds of the southwest. Only brief glimpses 
of his successive fields of action can here be given. In 1830 he 



226 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

came to Texas, threw in with the armies of the Repubhc and en- 
tered the Mexican War under Commission from President Lamar 
as Lieutenant-Colonel. Emerging therefrom he was appointed 
surveyor to the government by virtue of which office he gained 
broad experience in land affairs. His adventurous spirit led 
him to join the ill-fated Santa Fe expedition, an experience that 
enlarged his observation of the Southwest, and fortified his 
courage. Later on he was associated with the Peters coloni- 
zation scheme which brought him into contact with Northern 
Texas and its conditions. He had not yet entered the field of 
private promotion, and was yet to serve the State in another 
capacity. This was to act as a member of the Commission which 
selected the location whereon was built the present capitol build- 
ing of Texas. Following this, he was engaged with Col. Tom 
Bean, the famous Texan, in surveying all the vast extent of 
University lands. 

Col. Hunt then became an original promoter. His experience 
had ripened and his knowledge of Texas affairs had grown. He 
began by inaugurating a mail route between north Texas and 
the capital at Austin. He then turned his attention to land 
location and allied enterprises, and in association with John D. 
Black, became the largest land-holder in Texas. Still later, this 
firm came into possession of almost the whole of Western Wise 
County. 

In 1850 Col. Hunt resided in Bonham, Fannin County, and 
there married Catherine Cordelle, of Red River County, an 
attractive young woman, 18 years of age, and the daughter of 
a Tennessean of the old slave regime. Before removal from 
Bonham, two children were born, Lansing and Elizabeth. In 
1855 Col. Hunt came with his family and settled on his lands 
in the western part of Wise County, established a headquarters 
ranch and named the home Cactus Hill, a habitation that 
became historical in the annals of Wise County. In this home 
the remainder of the children were born, namely: William H. 
Hunt, Jr., Belle and Kate. Belle married Capt. S. A. Shortridge 
and became known nationally as a poetess of rare attainments. 
Kate, as Mrs. Kate Hunt Craddock, of Terrell, Texas, scintillates 
before the State as a brilliant writer and raconteur. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 227 

Colonel Hunt filled a large niche in the pioneer life of Wise 
County, probably exercising an influence that few others attained. 
His expansive training with large affairs equipped him with the 
astuteness and wisdom perquisite to a counsellor, and his 
magnanimity of spirit freely led him to the use of his talents in 
measures of beneficence and good. His memory is as well revered 
for his unbounded hospitality, a trait that his estimable wife 
shared equally with him. Mrs. Hunt was a charming and 
sympathetic woman. She became inured to the dangers of 
frontier life, and being possessed with natural cheerfulness, 
succeeded in communicating these spirits to all about her. To 
many she will be remembered as one of the resplendent stars of 
that twilight period. 

The home was one of cultivation and refinement. The 
children were carefully reared and a governess was constantly 
present to instruct in the arts and sciences. Col. Hunt's hold- 
ings in land and cattle became very great. He was regarded as 
one of the great cattle barons of this section. But with the 
beginning of the war and the subsequent Indian outbreak, his 
misfortunes began. First followed the death of his estimable 
wife, which, in addition to exterior trouble, forced the abandon- 
ment of Cactus Hill. The family refugeed to Decatur and re- 
mained for awhile. Finally, Col. Hunt received a fatal injur}^ 
in a runaway accident between Decatur and Bridgeport, which 
culminated in his death. The children were taken by their 
uncle, Sylvanus Reid, to Bonham, where their education was 
continued. 

Through the untoward events and incidents of the war, and 
an untimely visit which Col. Hunt made to his father in New 
York at the national crisis, and subsequently his untimely death, 
a large part of his hoklings were sacrificed — lost to his children 
through the violation of a trust and the cupidity of others who 
saw with prophetic eye also the future value of these lands. 

Col. Hunt lies buried in the family graveyard at Cactus Hill, 
where repose the remains of the lamented Belle Hunt Shortridge 
and others deceased of the family. 



228 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUXTY. 

MRS. BELLE HUNT SHORTRIDGE. 

(contributed.) 

Belle Hunt, the late Mrs. Samuel A. Shortridge, was born at 
Cactus Hill, Wise County, Texas. She was the daughter of 
Wni. Hudson Hunt, a pioneer of Texas, who was connnissioned 
and served as lieutenant-colonel in the war with Mexico. Later 
he was widely known as locator of lands, and as a progressive 
citizen of the State. He was descended from the Northampton 
line of Hunts, Englantl. Belle Hunt inherited from this distin- 
guished lineage the artistic and literary talent that brought her 
into general and favorable notice as poet and authoress. De- 
prived of both parents in early childhood, she was tenderly 
reared by her guardian, Sylvanus Reed, of Bonham, Texas, 
where at Carlcton College, she attended school until she entered 
the Academy of the Visitation, St. Louis, from which institution 
she was graduated with first honors at seventeen years of age. 
Shortly afterwards she was married to Capt. Samuel A. Short- 
ridge, of St. Louis, in which city they resided until Captain 
Shortridge located permanently at Terrell. Belle Hunt was a 
versatile and prolific writer, when the brief time allotted to her 
is considered. With laudable ambition she went to New York 
(LS90) in the Intercast of her literary labor, where in a remarkably 
short time, her articles were accepted and pul^lisluHl by the 
leading papers, journals and magazines of the city. Mrs. 
Shortridge wrote especially well for children, her " Jingles " 
(Modern Mother Goose) attracted wide attention in the columns 
of the Sunday World. These pleasing rhymes will be published 
shortly in book form, together with a story in prose (now in 
complete manuscript) also for children. A collection* of new 
poems and " Circumstance," a novel, the scene of which is 
located in Austin, Texas, will ho pulilished later. 

Besides the miscellaneous articles that have appeared from 
time to time in the best publications, Belle Hunt published 
through Belford's of New York, a collection of poems entitled 
" Lon(> Star Lights," 189L The dedication of this little volume 
has been widely coi)i(Ml, and was made the subject of fifty ex- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 229 

quisite water colors by Miss , of Dallas. The poem, 

'' Peach Blossom Time/' in same volume," was set to music and 
published by her talented friend, Mrs. George W. Voiers, of 
Forney, Texas. It was James Gordon Bennett who said of this 
poem: " Nothing more exquisite is to be found in the English 
language." " Held in Trust," a novel by Belle Hunt, was 
published in 1892. Dispassionate critics pronounced it a pleas- 
ing story — freshj clean and sweet as a breeze from a Texas prairie. 
A memoir of Belle Hunt is now in preparation — a sort of auto- 
biographical sketch of her literary work and mechanical methods, 
compiled from her journals and letters, by her sister, Mrs. Kate 
Hunt Craddock. The book will be illustrated, and for a frontis- 
piece the late portrait by Hen wood will be engraved. Since the 
death of Mrs. Shortridge many sketches of her life and work 
have appeared in prominent publications, but this memoir will 
presumably be more complete and interesting than anything 
that has yet been published. Mrs. Shortridge's remains were 
interred in the family burying ground at Cactus Hill, Wise 
County. 



HENRY ALEXANDER WISE. 

Governor Henry A. Wise was a Virginian, born December 3rd, 
1806,atDrummondstown, Accomac County. Brilliant at college 
and marvelously eloquent in debate, he became a cantlidate for 
Congress in 1833. From thence on his entire career was merged 
in politics and statescraft. He was in Congress from 1835 to 
1843 serving his party, the Whigs. He it was who uttered the 
famous sentiment: "The union of the Whigs for the sake of 
the Union." Governor Wise supported President Tyler 
heartily in his plans for the annexation of Texas, and 
led the small majority favorable to Tyler's views. After a 
period of ill-health he entered politics again, becoming the chief 
prosecutor of the doctrine of '' Know-Nothingism," and a candi- 
date for the governorship to which office he was elected. The 
record made in his brilliant arraignment of " Know-Nothingism " 
in the early fifties is accountable for the naming the county of 



230 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

Wise, after him. Governor Wise was not an original secessionist, 
but fought through the Civil War as a Confederate Brigadier 
and Major-General, being highly eulogized by General Fitzhugh 
Lee. He died September 12, 1876, beloved, honored and re- 
spected. 



COMMODORE STEPHEN DECATUR. 

Stephen Decatm* was the most conspicuous figure in the 
naval history of the United States for the hundred years between 
Paul Jones and Farragut. In at least three of our early wars 
Connnodore Decatiu' was the resplendent hin-o of at least a half- 
dozen undertakings, any one of which would have given a fair 
claim to immortality. More than any other captain of his time 
his name is cherished by his countrymen ; for he represented to 
a greater degree than any of his contemporaries those fine 
qualities which a pardonable national vanity inclines us to con- 
sider peculiarly American. 

He was born at Sinepuxent, Worcester County, Md., January 
5, 1779, arose to position in the navy by. promotions from suc- 
cessive stations of service, and was killed in 1820 in a duel with 
Commodore James Barron. Loyalty to the stars and stripes 
was the breath of his life. He was the hero of many gallant 
victories fought in different parts of the world underneath the 
American flag. 

He lies buried in St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia. 



CAPTAIN GEORGE W. STEVENS. 

There are few men among the pioneer clan who did not at 
one time or other take part in the defense of the country against 
the Indians, yet there are a few who showed a stronger predi- 
lection for fighting than others. Captain Stevens was one of this 
latter grouping. Born in Lowns County, Alabama, July 12, 1830, 
he emigrated to Wise County in 1855 with the Jennings family, 
and showed from the beginning of savage encroachments an in- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



231 



herent yearning to stand between the defenseless people and 
the red fiends who menaced their lives. 

It has been found practically impossible to gain much 
truthful information regarding the minuter details of the various 
encounters which Captain Stevens is known to have had with 
the bloody race whose career of crime he did so much to 
check and abate. Mr. John W. Hogg recites the battle on the 
Wichitas described in the 
foregoing pages which is 
the one escapade any living 
witness can recall with 
authority. Yet it is estab- 
lished by well-founded tradi- 
tion that Captain Stevens 
was for m a n y years the 
sleuthful watch-hound of 
the frontier, and that on 
numerous occasions he dem- 
onstrated great personal 
daring by thrusting himself 
into the midst of the sav- 
age foe and inflicting serious 
damage upon them. His 
popularity as a defender no 
doubt has been or was 
largely achieved through his 
constant preparedness and 
wilHngness to drop whatever 
private affair with which he 

was engaged, and go without hesitancy to whatever portion 
of the country needed his services. In the course of this 
character of loyal and brave servitude many close contacts 
with the Indians ensued; it is known that upon one occasion 
he killed an Indian in a hand-to-hand encounter, but the 
details of this as well as other traditionally established incidents 
of the kind have been lost in the buried records of the past. As 
is well known, the Indians never fought openly and were cowards 
when bravely charged by a small number of entrapped white 




CAPTAIN G. W. STEVENS. 



232 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

men, and it is due to this fatal racial weakness of their own that 
they were unsuccessful in completely slaughtering the elements 
of the straggling settlements which had the temerity to plant 
their habitats in what was conceded to be an Indian-infested 
country. It was because of this weakness that Captain Stevens, 
ever ready and ever willing with a small number of men, was 
able to save to Wise County both its citizenship and material 
wealth, all of which lay constantly exposed to the covetousness 
and revenge of the savage tribes. Mr. Hilory Bedford, in his 
book entitled, ''Texas Indian Troubles," refers to the last fight 
in Jack County in which Captain Stevens was engaged and in 
Which Billy Glass, a Wise County boy, was killed. In July, 
1874, about 400 Indians made a circuit into Tarrant and Parker 
Counties and back into Jack County, where they were followed 
by a small number of rangers. In Lost Valley the men by vote 
decided to abandon the trail, at which juncture Captain Stevens 
volunteered to continue the chase. Mr. Bedford says: "While 
going into camp, Captain George Stevens told them that they 
could have whipped all the redskins that could have gotten to- 
gether. This rather reflected on Captain Boyd's bravery, and 
Boyd told Stevens that he would take men and go and make the 
attack; but Stevens said no, that he would take forty men and 
whip them himself. Lieutenant Boyd very kindly and pa- 
tiently warned Captain Stevens that the Indians were well 
armed and well mounted and very strong in numbers; never- 
theless it was only a few minutes until Stevens was off for the 
scene of battle." Billy Glass, a neighbor boy of Stevens' in 
Wise County, volunteered to go with Stevens and could not be 
restrained. Stevens' men reached the supposed ambush of the 
Indians and were immediately ordered by the Captain to charge 
the place which was a rough canyon in the l^rcvaks. Th(> Indians 
began to pour in from every side. "The men were forced to 
retreat down the canyon to Cameron's Creek, carrying with them 
young Bailey and young Glass, who had both been killed in the 
first round fired by the Indians. Several other men were wound- 
ed and sixteen horses were killed. The brave Captain Stevens 
made all the resistance possible against such odds, and thus 
prevented the redskins from scalping his killed and wounded 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 233 

men. Captain Stevens and his men were retreating and fighting 
when a force of United States troops came to their rescue, where- 
upon the Indians retreated." 

Captain Stevens was a member and guiding officer of numer- 
ous of the county home guard cojnpanies, and after the war 
organized a full company of 84 men in Wise County, which did 
effective service on the frontier. He served a term or two as 
sheriff of Wise County, and made an efficient officer. He was 
twice married; in 1852 to Miss Martha McDonald, who died in 
1858. In about 1860 he married Miss Nancy Buchanan, and 
by both unions had eleven children. His remaining three sons; 
Ambrose and Jack, now live in west Texas, and Pierce in Ari- 
zona. Captain Stevens died in the early eighties and is buried 
in Flat Rock Cemetery. 



CAPTAIN IRA LONG. 

Captain Ira Long was born in Indiana, May 27, 1842, but 
was raised in northwest Missouri, to which section his father 
moved. In 1861 he entered the Confederate army and was in 
several close engagements, in which he was twice wounded. On 
September 15, 1864, he was married, and has been a resident of 
Wise County since that date. The year following the war 
was the date of the earnest inception of Indian troubles, and at 
that time Captain George Stevens and Captain Long were com- 
missioned to raise a ranger company, of which Captain Long was 
elected first lieutenant, and later succeeded to the captaincy. 
The history of the company's operations in part is described in 
foregoing pages and in the biographical sketch of Captain 
Stevens. After Lieutenant Long was made captain of the 
company he was moved to Ft. Mason to operate against 
noted outlaws, such as Scott, Cooly, John Beard, Gladden and 
others with whom he had great trouble. He was then moved 
to Hackberry Springs to continue his operations against out- 
laws and the Apache Indians, during which time he arrested 
some desperate characters, among whom was the noted outlaw. 



234 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



Sam Hare. After six years' service, in 1880 he resigned and 
returned home. Cajjtain Long has for many years been one 

of the most substantial and 
esteemed citizens of the 
county; is a man of strong 
mind and redo u I) t a b 1 e 
character, and an upright 
Christian man. He resides at 
present a few miles south of 
Decatur on his farm, which 
he very successfully conducts, 
but manifests an interest in 
all the enterprises that affect 
the county. He is a sterling 
member of Ben McCulloch 
Camp, Confederate Veterans, 
and a member of the manag- 
ing connnittee of the annual 
reunions. He treasures in his 
possession a collection of 
Indian armor and dress 
which he took from a savage 
killed l)y him in honorable 
battle. He also cherishes a 
letter from Major John B. Jones, which contains an official re- 
port of the battl(> in which Captain Long killed the Indian and 
which also connnends Captain Long as'a man of coolness, bravery 
and courage. ki, 




C.\PTAIN IHA LONG. 



W. W. BRADY. 

Judge William W. Brady served eighteen consecutive years 
as county clerk of Wise County, and four years as county judge, 
a tenure of positions of trust hardly approached in the county's 
history by a second person. He was born November 25, 1831, 
in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. His father's name was James 
Y. Brady, his mother's name being Sarah Ricketts Brady. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



235 



He came to Wise County in 1855 from Illinois, to which state 
he had gone in early manhood for the benefit of his health. 
He was induced to come to Texas by the presence here of his 
sister, Mrs. Dr. Thomas Stewart. He was married to Harriet 
R. Bryan, of Wise County, a daughter of James C. Bryan, of 
Bradley County, Tennessee, but at that time living in Wise 

County. Mrs. Brady was 




JUDGE W. W. BRADY. 



MRS. W. W. BRADY. 



born in McMillan County, Tennessee, in 1840, and after sixty-six 
years of life, all of which was passed in Wise County, died in 
1889.* Judge and Mrs. Brady reared eight children, whose 
names and the names of the persons to whom they were mar- 
ried appear as follows: 

Emma F. Brady, married to John R. Davenport. Mrs. Daven- 
port was born in the town of Decatur, June 20, 1860, perhaps 
the second child born there. She was rocked in the same cradle 
that was used for th<> first infant, Benjamin F. Allen. 



236 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

William Walter marned Lottie Mar. 

James Allen " Luclie Tharp. 

Henry Elmore " Mae Rucker. 

Sarah Angeline " Robert Hill. 

Eva Rieketts " Wm. Hill. 

Bertha Gulledge " John Hargrove. 

. Arthur Houston '' Eula Jarr(^ll. 

Judge Brady throughout his life was a conscientious student 
and attained to considerable i)roficiency as a writer. A diary 
kept by him describing pioneer events and occurrences makes 
very interesting reading. He was never without a dictionary, 
•and it is said that he could spell and define every word in that 
book. Because of these accomplishments he was known to 
some of his friends as "Spelling Bill." In his youth he was a 
carpenter and built a fine house for his father before leaving 
home. He was one of the highly useful citizens of the pioneer 
period. 



H. E. BRADY 



The subject of this sketch, Henry Elmore Brady, is now 
the occupant of the County Office which his father. Judge W. W. 
Brady, lu4d for a longer term than any predecessor or follower 
held any other office of the County government. He was born 
about one mile south of Decatur, April 17, 1867, and since the 
days of his early youth has constantly been employed in 
positions of trust and responsibility. His attainments as an 
expert office man and responsible officer have been won by 
years of hard work and persistent devotion to duty. In his 
boyhood he was a bright student in the successive pioneer 
schools, and recalls with retrospective pleasure his student 
days under the professorship of Dr. John A. Embry. 

For some years Mr. Brady has been associated with the local 
militia company, at first in subordinate position, but lastly as 
Captain of the Company. He is said to be one of the best 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



237 



tacticians and disciplinary officers in Texas, and enjoys the 
confidence and high esteem of the superior officers at all 
State encampments of the military guard. During the Spanish- 
American War he served as First Lieutenant of Co. H, 3rd 
Reg. U. S. Volunteers, and acted as Regimental Adjutant. 




H. E. BRADY. 



In November, 1894, Captain Brady was married to Miss 
Mae Rucker, daughter of Uncle Jim Rucker, of Decatur. As 
Clerk of the County he is both efficient and accommodating, 
and has popularized himself with the peoi:)le of the County. 



SAM WOODY. 

The entrance into Wise County and the subseciuent life of the 
original pioneer has be(>n elsewhere described, and it only re- 
mains now to allude to the essential facts in the history of Mr. 



238 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

Woody and that of his large and interesting family. He was 
born in Tennessee, May 24, .1826, and spent his youth in the 
Tennessee mountains. On October 19, 1848, he was married 
in the community where he lived to Emeline Breazeale, born 
April 18, 1833. A biographer in Mr. Paddock's history states 
that " up to his nineteenth year Mr. Woody had never be(>n more 
than five miles from home, and of the great world about him, 
and the customs of men he knew absolutely nothing. Then came 
an opportunity to go on a boat down the Tennessee, and during 
the next year or so he hatl a series of experiences which, when 
narrated in his own expressive and picturesque language, has 
all the interest that attaches to those who fare forth from the 
small known into the great unknown world about them, and 
which have furnished themes for heroics and epics from the 
beginning of literature. In this time he found that he was able 
to earn more money than he had ever dreamed possible while 
at home, and he returned to the family imbued with a higher 
sense of his own worth and ability and a fixed determination to 
betake himself and his people to a country where all might have 
better opportunities. He set himself to paying ofi the debts 
of his father, who was a blacksmith, and as soon as that was 
effected, he put all the family on a flat-boat and sent them down 
the river to a land of more promise. He himself remained at 
the old home for a time in order to get sufficient financial start 
for his next great move." 

Mr. Woody arrived in Texas in March, 1850, and in the spring 
of 1854 pioneered his way into A^'ise County to become its first 
permanent settler. Since that time his life has been an open 
book to the people of this section. He enjoys the distinction 
of being a natural humorist and optimist, traits which have won 
for him a cel(>brity over this section of Texas. Mr. Woody is the 
central one of a group of five brothers. He has two brothers 
aged respectively 94 and 83, he himself is 80, and the two next are 
79 and 09. Without being told no one could believe that Mr. 
Woody is an octogeniarian. His face is round, his cheeks ruddy, 
his eyes bright and full, and his hearty laugh and quick, sprightly 
motions give no hint of the biu'den of years which time has 
imposed upon him. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



239 



Mr. Woody has raised a stalwart family, some of his sons hav- 
ing become men of great business eniergy and integrity, who 
enjoy a wide acquaintance over North Texas. The names of 
his children, the dates of their birth and the persons to whom 
they were married are as follows: 



W. M. Woody, 
T. D. Woody, 
Elizabeth Woody, 
Eliza Woody, 
John J. W^oody, 
Jesse M. Woody, 
Emma Woody, 



born Aug. 8, 1850, married Julia Tinsley. 

born Oct. 20, 1852, married Martha Boyd, 

born Feb. 28, 1855, married J. F. Boyd!^ 
born Nov. 8, 1857, married A. S. Badger, 

born Feb. 27, 1862, marrietl Willie Lillard. 

born Feb. 27, 1864, married Areva Baits, 
born Feb. 5, 1866, married Wm. Austin. 



CARLO BALL.— THOMAS L. BALL. 

During his years of residence in Wise County the subject 
sketch stood for rugged, honest citizenship. He did not 
to lead politically or socially, 
but was content to be a plain 
citizen, the kind that re- 
sponds to every demand that 
good c i t i z e n s h i p imposes. 
The highest encomium that 
can be placed on a man is, 
not that he is learned and 
cultured nor accomplished, 
but that he is honest. This, 
in truth, can be said of Carlo 
Ball. He was born in [Ken- 
tucky in 1834, came to Hop- 
kins County, Texas, in 1851, 
and in the fall of 1854, came 
to Wise County when the 
number of families here could 
be counted very nearly on one 
hand. He assumed his part 
bravely in all the fortudinous 
circumstances that environed carlo ball. 



of this 
aspire 




240 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

the pioneer citizens, and through it all succeeded in rearing 
and educating a large family who have become an honor to 
their parents and county. Mr. Ball is the son of Moses Ball 
and wife whose photographs are reproduced in this section. 
They, too, were original settlers of the steadfast kind. At an 
early date. Carlo Ball married Clarinda, the oldest daughter 
of Jackson J. Conelly, who, with his wife, came very early to 
this frontier and remained until their tleaths. Staunch, true 
friends of the coimtry and its best interests. They also wnv the 
parents of Tip Conelly, whose life was sacrificed to the Indians 
in the engagement in which Tom Weatherby was killed and 
Clabe Cates shot in the head with an arrow. Mr. Conelly and 
Mr. Ball built the first flouring mill erected in Wise County, 
this just off the Gainsville road al^out H miles northeast of 
Decatur, contiguous to the old homi^place of Mr. Ball. To ob- 
tain the machinery Mr. Conelly made a trip to New York State 
and had it shipped to Louisiana, from where it was hauled over- 
land to Wise County. Mr. and Mrs. Conelly had several daugh- 
ters and on(» son, all of whom were married and whose names 
are : Mrs. Carlo Ball, Mrs. Napoleon Stone, Mrs. Joshua Shreves, 
Mrs. R. A. Boyd, Mrs. W. H. Cook. The son, Jose J. Conelly, 
married a Ball. 

Mr. and Mrs. Moses Ball also reared a large family of children 
who are intcn'mingled by marriage with some of the best-known 
citizens of ^^'ise County. Their names are presently: Carlo 
Ball, Mrs. ^^'m. C^arroll, Mrs. Joseph Marlett, Mrs. Fred Elson, 
Mrs. Wm. Dixon, Mrs. Ed Ray, Mrs. Joe Brown, Jim Ball 
deceased, Mrs. Dick Reeger, deceased. Carlo Ball is now 
a resident of the Pan Handle of Texas, but as his repre- 
sentative in Wise County he has left l^ehind a son, Thomas La- 
fayette Ball, who stantls for all those sterling ([ualitirs exhil)ited 
in the father. Thomas L. Ball was born on the old Ball place 
near Decatur, September 24, 1874, and was mainly educated 
in the public school of Decatur, which he rc^ligiously attended 
for a number of years, or until he had mastered the rudiments 
of a practical education. At about the age of 26 he taught a 
term of school at Flat Rock Schoolhouse, and then retm'ned 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



241 



himself to school at Decatur. During the interim of his school 
sessions he did hard physical labor on the farm. By conviction 
and heritage he is a Republican in political belief, and in 1902 
became a candidate for postmaster at Decatur. He was success- 
ful in being appointed and took office March 11, 1902. On 
February 27, 1906, he was reappointed for a second term. 
Beyond all question Mr. Ball has made one of the most capable 





:\IR. MOSES BALL. 



MRS. MOSES BALL. 



and accommodating officers ever charged with the duties of 
handling the mail at Decatur, and in addition thereto he has won 
the gratitude of the community by being instrumental in having 
established the system of rural mail delivery here. He has 
been hai)pily married to Miss Stanley, daughter of one of the 
substantial farmers of Wise County. 

16 



242 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



COL. GEORGE B. PICKETT. 

The biographer records a most interesting character in detail- 
ing the life of Col. George Bible Pickett. He touched the life of- 
the frontier at many points and participated in more varied 
experiences than fall to the lot of the majority of his human 
brothers. Born July 9, 1832, at Owensboro, Ky . , he came with his 

father's family to Red River 
County and spent the period 
of his youth since 1842 there. 
In September, 1850, Col. 





COL. V,. \i. PICKETT. 



MRS. G. B. PICKETT. 



Pickett was married to Cordelia Scarborough, a daughter of a 
pioneer settler in Red River County. His father, Rev. Willis 
M. Pickett, was a Baptist minister, and probably preached one 
of the first sermons in Red River County on coming there in 
1842. He also organized churches and engaged in the work of 
the ministry over North Texas. 

At the age of 21, and in August, 1854, Col. Pickett made a 



BIOGRAPHICAL, 243 

prospecting trip to Wise County. He started in company with 
a group of prospective settlers, of which he was the youngest 
member. Reaching Denton County, the country grew wild and 
dangerous in appearance, and all but Col. Pickett turned back. 
He came on, crossed Wise County, and visited Hunt's ranch in the 
western part. On his adventurous return, he ran amuck of a 
band of Indians encamped on Denton Creek, and had some 
perilous experiences during the night of his detention in their 
midst. However, he was allowed to proceed the following 
morning without serious consequences. Col. Pickett then moved 
to Wise County to live, bringing Mrs. Pickett. They bought 
the claim of Jim Rogers, about four miles north of Decatur, 
which they occupied for some time. They then moved to their 
present abode, which is about a mile southeast of the original 
homesite. Col. and Mrs. Pickett have reared a large family, 
the first-born being Mary, who was married to Milton 
W. Shoemaker, of Decatur; the next, Bettie, married to Thos. 
J. McMurray, of Decatur; one son, Augustus, married Maggie 
Fullingim; two other daughters, Elizabeth and Electra, are at 
home. Since his entrance into the County Col. Pickett has 
entered seriously into many phases of the county life. Originally 
he was owner of a great hertl of cattle; when the war came up, 
he raised a full company of volunteers whose history has been 
given in preceding pages; his activity in behalf of ciuietude in 
the county at the close of the war won him the enmity of the 
elements responsible for the disquietude, and his life for a number 
of years was rendered vexatious and uncomfortable. He served 
the county two terms as County Judge and five terms as repre- 
sentative in the legislature, leaving his stamp upon much 
permanent and beneficial legislation. He was the author of the 
bill which authorized the organization of the ranger forces which 
tended in great part to subdue the Indians after their years of 
ravages. Some one spoke truly of him when he was described 
as being " a forceful public speaker, pleasing in address, pictur- 
esque in language, full of solid fact and anecdote, courtly and 
chivalrous." 



244 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY, 



SAMUEL L. TERRELL.— C. V. TERRELL.— 
JOHN J. TERRELL. 

The family which bears the above name has long been promi- 
nent in the soeial, political and business hfe of this county. Mr, 
Terrell, the forebear, was born in Franklin County, Mississippi, 
November 13, 1829, in which county he lived until he went with 
his parents to Pulaski County, Arkansas, when he was about six 

vearsof age. In the schools 



of his native county and 
in those of Little Rock he 
received proficient training 
in the fundamentals of an 
education, and afterwards 
taught two terms in Point 
Coupee Parish, Louisiana, 
one before his marriage and 
one following that event, 
which occurred in Pulaski 
County, Arkansas, in 1852, 
when he took to wife Miss 
Emily C. Kellam. After 
closing his school in Louis- 
iana, Mr. Terrell returned to 
Arkansas, where he busied 
himself in closing the details 
of his wife's estate. In 1854 
he came to Texas and settled 
in U^pshur County on Sulphur 
Creek, where he contlucted 
another school for one term. He had made a prospective trip 
to this frontier, which ended in his decision to locate here, and 
in November, 1854, he returned to Wise County, accompanied 
by his wife and his wife's brother, Jacob Kellam, to become a 
permanent settler. For one dollar per acre Mr. Terrell purchased 
the claim of a Mr. tomstock, in the neighborhood of Denton 
Creek, in the east part of the county; hereon he erected a six- 




JOHN J. TERRELL. 



BIOGRAPHICAL, 



245 



teen-foot-sqiiare log cabin, necessity forcing the family for some 
time to do without either wftidows or door shutters to the 
house, such conveniences being unobtainable in the county. 
Upon the organization of the county in LSofj, Mr. Terrell was 
selected as one of the first county commissioners, and was also 
elected justice of the peace for his precinct. At the beginning 
of Indian hostilities he removed with his family to Decatur, 
which at the time boasted of but about six families. Mr. Terrell 
for a number of years conducted a merchandise establishment, 
and when Decatur began to grow erected the first stone building 
built in the town. Mrs. Terrell was born in Pulaski County, 
Arkansas, November 20, 1832. On her father's side she is 
directly descended from the family 
of which the famous statesman, 
John C. Calhoun, was also a des- 
cendant. 

Mr. Terrell has been dead a num- 
ber of years, but Mrs. Terrell re- 
mains hale and hearty, one of the 
pioneer mothers descended from 
those tempestuous times. . She re- 
calls many exciting incidents and 
occurrences which space limits for- 
bid describing here. During the 
days of Indian troubles her home 
in Decatur was one of the special 
retreats of outsiders seeking refuge 
and safety. She can recall vividly 
having seen Indians in her own 
barn late at night preparing to take 
away her horses, and this in the 

village of Decatur. In connection with other Indian experiences 
she remembers making the winding-sheets for the burial of 
the murdered Huff women ; also she it was who dressed the 
scalp of the savage killetl by Captain Hill's company of 
rangers in the Keep house fight. Mr. and Mj-s. Terrell reared 
an interesting and accomplished family of children, whose es- 
sential individual facts of history are as follows: L. P. Terrell, 




MRS. S. L. TERRELL. 



246 PIONEER HISTORY OF AVISE COUNTY. 

the oldest, was twice married; first to Carrie Scarborough; 
secondly and following her death, to Emma Watson. John J. 
Terrell, the present land commissioner of Texas, was married to 
Jennie Sanders. Malinda Bell was married to Lute Renshaw; 
Charles Wn-non Terrell, ex-state senator and present county 
judge, marrietl Etta May; Jacob Preston married first Sallie 
Lanier, following whose death he married Sallie Phillips; Mary 
Elizabeth was married to Stephen A. Lillard; Fannie Ida was 
married to Walter Cooper; Lillie Rowena was married to Dr. 
D. H. Payne; Laura Emma was married to J. Foster Lillard 
and Will Eugene Terrell married Mae Lillard. 

Charles Wrnon Terrell, the third son of Mr. and Mrs. S. L. 
Terrell, is a native son of Wise County, having been born twelve 
miles east of Decatur, May 2, ISGL His early schooling was 
received at Decatur, the schools best remembered by him be- 
ing those of Professor McConnell, Mr. J. D. White's and Dr. 
John A. Embry, as well as Parson Haynes'. As a young man 
Judge Terrell was averse to confinement as clerk in his father's 
store and chose freighting and outdoor work instead, which is 
largely accountabl(> for the superb physical strength and sturdi- 
ness of form and carriage which he })resently enjoys. As a lad 
he loitered quite frequently about the court house, his father's 
residence being near at hand, and her(\ while listening to the 
legal debates and oratory of the lawyei-s he conceived the am- 
bition to become a lawyer, which led to his beginning legal 
studies in LS84 under the firm of Carswell & Fuller. He was also 
influenced in the choice of a i:)rofession by his elder brother, 
John J. Terrell, who, with much foresight, saw ahead the oppor- 
tunities for young men of trained skill and cultivated intellect. 
At the end of his student course Judge Terrell was granted 
license to practice at the bar, by Judge F. E. Finer. He was 
immediately placed in the race for city attornc^y by his 
friends. In 1892 lie was elected county attorn(>y and 
served four years, during the first year of which, or in 1893, he 
was niarried to Miss Etta May, at the tim(> an efficient and ad- 
mired teacher in the public school. Her home was at Cameron, 
Texas. As county attorney Mr. Terrell made an enviable rec- 
ord, religiouslv devoting himself to his duties and quitting with 



•BIOGRAPHICAL. 247 

an accumulation of experience, ability and reputation that ended 
in his being elected as the senatorial representative from the 
Thirty-first District, which comprised Denton, Wise and Mon- 
tague Counties. In the senate Judge Terrell was a close stu- 
dent of men and affairs as he has ever been in all the relations 
of life into which he has entered. He was also instrumental in 
achieving much beneficial legislation, and is responsible for the 
location of the North Texas Normal College at Denton. He 
served a full term in the senate and retired to private practice, 
but again entered the arena of politics in 1906, when he was 
selected as the judge of Wise County. 

Judge Terrell is a sterling, sincere, straightforward type of 
man, loves his home, loves his country and loves his people; in 
fact, patriotism and loyalty are his chief characteristics. He 
is possessed of a strong sense of duty and is inherently firm and 
unalterable in whatever course or policy he thinks is right. 
Withal he is possessed of a cautious business sense and during 
the tenure of his present office Wise County will be honestly, 
efficiently and progressively governed. 



The career of Hon. John J. Terrell, second son and second in 
line of birth of the children of Samuel L. and Mijs. Terrell, and 
present land connnissioner of Texas, is regarded with pride by 
his fellow citizens of Wise County, who have viewed his climb 
from obscurity to the lofty altitudes of state position and state- 
wide reputation. Th"s sentiment of pride is heightened by the 
fact of Mr. Terrell's Wise County nativity, he having been born 
here January 28, 1857, in a log cabin, newly built by his father, 
near the eastern boundary of the county, in the vicinity of the 
mouth of Catlett Creek. 

Mr. Terrell began life in Wise County eJishrouded in the mist 
and cloud of frontier deprivation and isolation, an environment 
that has contributed to the darkening of many a talented life 
through the sheer denial of opportunity and outlet. Some men, 
however, illuminate their own path ; such a man is Mr. Terrell. 
He began an early, manly fight against the environing shadows, 



248 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

spreading a light about himself in which he worked straight up- 
ward to one of the highest and most responsible positions in 
the gift of a great state. Limitations of space forbid minute 
details of Mr. Terrell's Wise County career. He was early 
honored here with the positions of surveyor and district clerk, 
which in combination with private enterprises and real estate 
transactions kept him energetically employed for a number of 
years. Then in 1887, through Hon. R. M. Hall, land commis- 
sioner of Texas, he was extended an opportunity to go up higher, 
and accepted. Mr. Hall appointed him surveyor and classifier 
of state public school lands, which led subsequently to his clerk- 
ship in the land office at Austin and ultimately to his election 
as land commissioner. 

Mr. Terrell married May 13, 1887, Miss Jennie Sanders, who 
was born near Nashville, Tennessee, August 28, 1865. Mrs. 
Terrell is a beautiful and accomplished woman of original 
pioneer stock of Tennessee, but has been a resident of 
Texas since the age of nine years. To Mr. and Mrs. Terrell have 
been born four children, three of whom are living, as follows: 
Oscar Otis, born at Decatur; Minnie, Myrtle and Jennie Jewell, 
born at Austin. 

The following bi-icf resume of Mr. Terrell's official career is 
the contribution of Hon. James T. Robison, chief clerk of the 
General Land Office, Austin. 

''He was elected commissioner of the General Land Office of 
Texas, November, 1902, and assumed the duties of that very 
important and responsible office January 10, 1903. He was 
twice re-elected, the last time over active oj)i)osition, and though 
his third term, received in the Democratic primary over his op- 
ponent the largest majority ever given one Democrat over 
another in the history of the state. Though he is strongly urged 
to again ask re-election, he declines to accept further ])()litical 
favors. For twelve years i)rior to Mr. Terrell's election he had 
been an employe of the land office, during which time he had 
been promoted by every successive connnissioner, s(>rving the 
last four years as chief clerk. Such was Mr. Terrell's compre- 
hension of the puri)Ose for which the public lands were dedicated 
and his knowledge of its provisions, under the guise of law, that 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 249 

he assumed the difficult and laborious task of correcting the 
evil through the legislature. Though failure was his first re- 
ward, his two years' conduct of the office, in the interest of the 
school fund for which the land had been set apart, instead of in 
the interest of those wanting to speculate upon the land, was 
such that his views became popular and were enacted into the 
law of 1905. This law put sales upon the business basis of ad- 
vertising the land in the broadest possible way and of selling 
to the one who would pay the most for it. Notwithstanding 
the best lands had theretofore been sold, yet under this law the 
land sold during the first year brought to the school fund in 
round numbers, $5,000,000.00 more than the same quantity of 
better land had theretofore brought. His land policy has come 
to stay. The Supreme Court of this state, in a decision in a 
land case (see Estes vs. Terrell, 15th Texas Court Reporter, page 
445) , had to say : ' The policy of selling the school lands to the 
highest bidder is a wise one, ' The public has the most explicit 
confidence in Mr. Terrell's personal and official integrity. While 
of a modest bearing and quiet demeanor, he is fearless in his 
advocacy of the moral side of all public questions', and submits 
to the dictation of no one. The belief that truth will triumph 
is a part of his very nature. Though Mr. Terrell is firm in his 
manner, yet he is kind and generous, and every one of the 
eighty-five employes who have from the first until now served 
under him in the land office love him." 



STANHOPE PASCHALL.— J. T. PASCHALL.— 
W. D. PASCHALL. 

Stanhope Paschall was one of the very earliest arrivals in 
Wise County, coming in 1855 and settling on Deep Creek, one of 
the oldest and most prominent communities of the time. He 
was born in Dixon County, Tennessee, in 1824, December 28th ; 
before leaving Tennessee, he married Miss Martha Duke. The 
date of his arrival in Upshur County, Texas, was 1853, from 
which county he came to Wise. Records of Mr. Paschall's high 
usefulness to the community as an artisan in wood and iron are 



250 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



left in an old day-book retained by his sons, which exhibits the 
thrift and energy of his nature and his meritorious transactions 
with the pioneer people. 

Mr. Paschall has bequeathed two sons to present day Wise 
County life who have been instrumental in its material upbuild- 
ing. These are J. T. and W. D. Paschall, who, by their high 
characters as men have not only honored themselves and 

the section in which they 



live, but have conferred 
special credit upon the 
pioneer parents who bore 
them. 

J. T. Paschall is an estim- 
able farmer of the Deep Creek 
section. He was born in 
Dixon County, Tennessee, 
December 13, 1849, came to 
Wise County with his father, 
and in 1875 married Josie 
(Joodger, to which union 
eight children — four boys 
and four girls — were born. 
Vs'. D. Paschall is number- 
ed amongst the best known 
and most influential farmers 
and business men of Wise 
County. He is a native son 
of Wise County, having been 
born on th(> old Deep Creek 
farm, December 2(), 1857, th(> 
year of the establishment of the county seat and the year 
following the organization of the county. On January 20, 
188(), Mr. Paschall married Miss Fannie Belle Stamps, and 
they have had five chiklren, three of whom are living, 
represented in one boy and two girls, the former being 
18 years of age. Mr. Paschall is comfortably located within 
four miles of the town of Boyd. He is one of the county's leaders 
in every movement that tends to affect the condition of the 




STANHOPE PASCHALL. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



251 



farmer. Ho is a fluent writer, and his eontril)utions to the 
county })ress, touching upon local problems, evince a widespread 
interest. He is connected prominently with one of the large 
farmers' insurance organizations, and in him the farmers have 
deservedly reposed unlimited trust and confidence. 



ANDREW J. MANN. 

The old community on Deep Creek has produced some of 
the highest types of citizenship that ever went forth from any 
country or section. The 



community life there has 
seemingly tended toward 
the generation of strong, 
true qualities of manhood 
in all the pioneer sons who 
have been bred in it. A. J. 
Mann is a typical repre- 
sentative of that expe- 
rience, and stands forth 
to-day one of the capable, 
trusted farmers and busi- 
ness men of Wise County. 
Mr. Mann was born in 
Upshur County, Texas, 
January 5, 1851, the son of 
John Mann and the youngest 
of thirteen children. In 1858 
he came to Deep Creek, Wise 
County, and with the excep- 
tion of seven years spent in 
Arizona and New^ Mexico, 
has been a resident of the 

county since that date. June 29, 1882 he was married to Delia 
Whorton, the daughter of a citizen of Oliver Creek, and to them 
have been born six children. The oldest, Charlie, is married 
and lives in New Mexico; Frank, the next, is in school at Waco; 




A. J. MANN. 



252 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY, 



the third son, Grover, is married and lives on the old farm on 
Deep Creek. The youngest children, Lela, Whorton and Burch, 
remain with their parents who presently reside at Decatur. 

Mr. Mann is the trusted president of one of the county farmers' 
insurance companies. 



LAWRENCE L. WARD.— HENRY L. WARD.— 
J. LAWRENCE WARD. 

Henry L. and Rev. J. Lawrenc(^ Ward, the sons of Lawrence 
L. Ward, have attained to positions of lorominence in the church 
and commercial realms of Texas. Their father was a native of 
Elbert County, Ga., born April 3, 1829, married Lucy A. 
Marshall, of Chambers County, Ala., and located on Deep 
Creek, Wise County, in the year of 1858. The wife was born 
December 18, 1835. 



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^^^k^H| 


LM^_^flB| 




mJ\ ^^^^^^H 


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MR. L. ].. WARD. 



.MRS. I.. L. WARD. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 253 

The father, Lawrence L. Ward, was one of the efficient repre- 
sentative citizens of his time. For a number of years he was 
honored with the office of Justice of the Peace of his precinct, a 
very responsible position in the early days of the county. Later 
on Mr. Ward served the county as its Chief Justice, the office of 
County Judge in the first years of the county organization. 
When Indian troubles became rife Mr. Ward aligned himself with 
the Deep Creek militia company, was elected its First Lieutenant, 
and in this capacity served many years as the defender of the 
county. His children had the beginnings of their education 
on Deep Creek under the able tutorship of Robert Walker. The 
children of Lawrence Ward, Sr., and wife are Mary, who married 
Mark Oates, of Rhome; Henry L., married Miss May Trewhitt; 
Laura J. and John G., who died in early youth; Wm. E., married 
Miss Clementine Paschall; J. F. married Miss Lizzie Whiteside; 
J. L., married Miss Jennie Beard; Ella, married J. D. Ballard; 
Lindsay died in infancy. 

Henry L. Ward was born November 9, 1854, near Gilmer, 
Upshur County, Texas. When about three years of age he was 
brought to Deep Creek, AVise County, where his early boyhood 
was spent. Mr. Ward's ascent into the business world has been 
won step by step. At the age of 20 he joined Capt. George 
Stevens' ranger company and served for a while on the frontier, 
following which he went into the store of J. K. Ezell, at Aurora, 
as clerk. He folio wTd general trading, principally in cattle, 
until 1884, when he was elected County Clerk of Wise County. 
His marriage followed in 1885 at Aurora. After two terms as 
County Clerk, Mr. Ward removed to Springtown, Parker County, 
•and joined his brother, J. L. Ward, in a general mercantile busi- 
ness which was conducted under the name of Ward Bros, until 
1901, when Mr. Ward removed to Decatur. His children are: 
Maud, married to Dr. J. F. Ford, of Decatur; Grady, a young 
man at school, and Frank, aged 10 years. As a business man 
and citizen Mr. Ward enjoys the confidence and esteem of all 
who know him, wiiich includes most of the people of the 
county. He is an indefatigable worker in many good causes, 
being closely identifietl with the management of the Baptist 
College and of the affairs of the Baptist Church. His business 



254 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

judgment is safe and true, the energetic application of which 
has led him to the accretion of considerable material means. 
He is investigative, cautious and thoughtful, and represents the 
very highest type of citizenship, otherwise personified in religious 
devotion to duty in secular life and devotion to religious duty 
in spiritual life. 

Rev. J. Lawrence \\^ard has recently been called to a larger 
field of usefulness in the Baptist Church affairs of the State, 
which is the corresponding secretaryship of the Texas Baptist 
Educational Commission, headcjuarters at Waco. To this 
responsible position he went from the place of President of 
Decatur Baptist College, an office he had filled with profound 
credit to himself and growth and success to the school. Mr. 
Ward's early life was spent on Deep Creek, this county. He 
was born there and hewed out his early career in positions under 
its wholesome, pure influences. When a young man he took a 
clerkship in a store at Aurora, in which village he was married 
about this time. He then served two other terms as a clerk at 
Rhome and Decatur, when he opened a store at Springtown, 
Parker County. Mr. Ward was successful in business, but 
retired and studied for the ministry at Baylor College. The 
pastorate of the Baptist Church at Decatur followed his gradua- 
tion, which position yielded to his acceptation of the Presidency 
of the College. Analogous to his brother, Henry L. Ward, he 
is highly regarded by the people of this section. Besides being 
both devout and intellectual he has evinced strong demonstrated 
qualities of executiveness. He has merited the great respect 
and friendship of the people of \Mse County, and will doul)tless 
achieve like relations in the broader field to which he has gone. 



MRS. MARGARET MANN.— W. J. MANN. 

r Mrs. Margaret Mann is the surviving wife of James Mann, who 
entered the county with Sam Woody as original prospector in 
1853. At this writing Mrs. Mann is 73 years of age, 53 years 
of which have been spent in Wise County. She is one of the 
citizens who knows what a frontier life means, having indulged 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



255 



to the full in its hardships and joys. She feels that she has been 

one of the humble instruments in the hands of an all-wise 

Providence for the upbuilding and development of the County 

of Wise. Mrs. Mann is a native Tennessean, born there in 

Roan County, and removed to Texas on the date aforementioned. 

In coming to this territory she came with her husband via 

Parker County, being guided by an Indian, the interpreter of 

the fort at Ft. Worth. This was in April, 1854, and Mrs. Mann 

only remembers one family in the 

county at the time, this being Tom 

McCarroll's. Mr. Woody was at 

that time engaged in building his 

log house. Mrs. Mann is the mother 

of 11 children, eight of whom are 

living, as follows: W. J. Mann, lives 

in Wise County ; George Mann, Wise 

County; Mary Ferguson, Wise 

County; Mrs. Nannie Simpson, Wise 

County; Mrs. Fannie Swift, Hall 

County; Mrs. AUie Eddins, Wise 

County; Robert Mann, Oklahoma; 

Tom Mann, Paradise. 

W. J. Mann was born-in Tarrant 
County, Texas, March 8, 1854, and 
was brought to Wise County in his 
infancy. His father, James Mann, 
settled the old Holmes place in the 

neighborhood of Deep Creek, so that W. J. grew up under the 
nurture and inspiration of that section. He recalls many tem- 
pestuous experiences of boyhood and young-manhood. He has 
been upon the trail of the Indian, rode the open in the wake of 
cattle, farmed and tilled in the fields. He grew strong, rugged and 
sensible in contact with these burly elements; also he grew into 
a man of pronounced strength and integrity of character. In 
the year of 1880 he married Miss Mattie Perkins, following 
whose death he later married Miss Loutie Lindsey. By both 
unions Mr. Mann has reared eleven children, whose names are 




MRS. MARGARET MANN, 



256 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

as follows: Lee, the oldest, who married Miss Miranda Gibbons, 
and who is a popular and progressive merchant at Paradise; 
Lynn, assistant-postmaster at Decatur; and the following who 
are at home: Jim, Charlie, Allie, Bessie, Nell, Dick Coke, John 
Patterson Burleson, Harry Harrison and Thomas Drew. During 
Cleveland's first administration Mr. Mann served Wise County 
two terms as sheriff, and the county never had a better one in 
that capacity. At present he lives on his farm south of Paradise, 
and is one of the substantial and intelligent men of influence in 
all county and neighborhood affairs. 



ROBERT H. WALLACE.— JOHN H. WALLACE. 

Robert H. Wallace was born in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 
August 16, 1818, and spent his early youth in that state and in 
Tennessee. In the latter state in 1848 he marrierl Hulda M. 
Hardwick, and afterwards removed to Arkansas, where, in Ben- 
ton County he resided until 1857, when he brought his family 
to Wise County, their future home. Arriving in Wise Coimty, 
Mr. Wallace took by pre-emption the tract of land now known 
as the Halsell place, on the southwest outskirts of Decatur. 
Here he raised a large family, the names of the children being 
in succession — 

Arabella. 

Cynthy J. — married Gum Rhoades. 

John H. — born in Benton County, Arkansas, August 12, 1854. 

C. M. Wallace. 

Emma Wallace — married Louis Calvert of Oklahoma. 

Mary Wallace — married Anderson Acres. 

W\ F. Wallace — married Ida Foss, Washington. 

Mr. Wallace died in 1873. He is remembered as a good, strong 
man and citizen of his times, and as an active member of the 
local militia companies during the war and Indian troubles. 

John H. Wallace and Mrs. Gum Rhoades are the only two 
children of the elder ^^'allace now living in Wise County. Both 



BIOLOGICAL. 257 

are generally well liked for the many good qualities possessed 
by them. Mr. Wallace for a number of years has taken a lead- 
ing part in the various affairs that affect his conununity and 
county. He made one of the most systematic and businesslike 
commissioners the county has been honored with. During his 
tenure of the office of connnissioner, the county began the erec- 
tion of the beautiful courthouse at the county seat, and it was 
largely through Mr. Wallace's taste, direction and influence that 
this structure was reared as presently proportioned. To him 
was assigned the task of representing th(> county during the 
building of the courthouse", during which time he was persistently 
on duty, carefully watching that all construction and improve- 
ments were made in accordance with contract. Mr. Wallace 
now lives on his farm about four miles northwest of Decatur, 
but he keeps constantly in touch with the current affairs of the 
county and public generally. He is progressive and enterprising 
and enjoys the high confidence of all who know him. Doubt- 
less no county citizen appreciates the responsibilities of citizen- 
ship more than he, nor performs them more willingly. Since its 
organization Mr. Wallace has been the president of the Wise 
County Old Settlers' Association, and by his efforts and those of his 
associates and executive committeemen has succeeded in resur- 
recting the old settlers from their place of neglect and thrust- 
ing them forward into the appreciation of the later generations. 

Mr. Wallace was a typical pioneer boy, sharing in all the joys 
and hardships of the time, and recalls many experiences. Among 
them is the recollection of the memorable night when as a guard 
over his father's horses he shot an Indian who was attempting 
to reach the stable to steal them. He was sitting inside the 
house at the time and fired out of an open window; the Indian 
jumped and yelled, l)ut escaped in the timber, leaving stains of 
blood behind. 

Mr. Wallace has been twice married, first in 1877 to Hopie 
Calvert, who died in November, 1893. On December 30, 1896, 
Mr. Wallace was married to Mattie E. Killough. To both 
unions seven children have been born. Mr. Wallace has been a 
citizen of Wise County since 1857. 

"17 



258 



PIONEER HISTORY OF AVISE COUNTY 



DR. THOMAS STEWART.— MRS. JULIA STEWART.— 
J. C. CARPENTER. 

Mrs. Julia A. Stewart, aged 84 years, one of the oldest citizens 
living to represent the pioneer period, with bright and undimin- 
ished mind contributes a 
sketch of the 




self and 



life of her- 
husband during 




DR. THOMAS STEWART. 



MRS. JULIA A. STEWART. 



the early days of the county, which deserves to be whoU}- rcjjro- 
duced here, but is abridged in the interest of economy of space. 
The following excerj)ts are taken fi'om Mrs. Stmvart's contri- 
bution. 

Dr. Thomas A. Stewart was boin September 14, 1822, in In- 
diana County, Pennsylvania. He was an early emigrant to the 
state of Illinois, and in LS.j.j was one of the first arrivals in ^^'isc 
County. Dr. Stewart married Julia A.* Brady, sister of Judge 
W. W. Brady, of Wise County, February 8, 1842. :\lrs. Stewart 
was born June 21, 1828. Mrs. Stewart thus descril)es the 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 259 

emergence of her party into Texas: "We crossed the Red River 
December 24, 1855. AYith us were W. W. Brady and our five 
children. When we drove out of Red River bottom we were 
struck with awe and admiration at the vast plains and the 
varied landscape, with the scattered fields of fall-sown grain 
green and beautiful. It seemed to us we had landed in Para- 
dise when we compared the country with frozen, bleak Illinois." 

Parker County was the planned destination, but after crossing 
Wise County and observing its advantages, Dr. Stewart decided 
to locate here. Mrs. Stewart says: "In West Fork bottom the 
wild rye was knee-deep and so green and pretty." 

Roving about the trackless forests, the party came upon Ben 
Crews, who directed them to a suitable camp on Deep Creek, 
and after some time spent there, a location was made on Oliver 
Creek, where lands were purchased and a home started. Mrs. 
Stewart says : "We found the largest-hearted and most generous 
people here in Texas we had ever met in life." Her interesting 
description of the character of life lived must give way to more 
essential facts found further on in her notes. At the beginning 
of Indian troubles Dr. Stewart grew discouraged and planned 
to return to Illinois, a move which Mrs. Stewart successfully 
pleaded against. Cattle were then bought and a ranch started 
on Sandy Creek, resulting in Dr. Stewart becoming quite 
wealthy, but a fortune which was afterward sacrificed to savages 
and thieves. The Sand Hill community then became their 
home for a number of years, but in 1867 the family moved to 
Kansas, thence to Colorado, and from there to California and 
Oregon, finally back to Texas. 

Dr. Stewart was a pioneer physician in Wise County. He 
went at the call of duty with pill-bags behind and Winchester 
before. He was a great hunter and it was also necessary to 
watch for Indians. He was a man of more than ordinary intel- 
ligence and enjoyed the respect and confidence of the people antl 
was for years one of the leading physicians. Being of adventurous 
temperament, he had gone to California in the gold excitement 
of 1849. At the approach of the Civil War he enlisted as sur- 
geon on Colonel Sweet's staff, but later became exempt for being 
over the re(|uired age. He soon joined the frontier service and 



260 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

was assigned to Captain Ward's company, following which he 
moved his family to Buffalo Springs. After some years' service 
he returned to Decatur and lived until his removal to Kansas. 
The latter years of his life were passed in Oregon. Stricken 
with an incurable disease, he returnetl to Decatur, and in June, 
1899, died in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Mary G. Shown, 
surrounded by friends and relatives. He lies buried in Sand Hill 
Cemetery. Dr. Stewart is survived by his wife, Mrs. Julia A. 
Stewart, and the following children: Mrs. Mary G. Shown, 
Jacksboro; Mrs. S. C. Cargill, Davidson, Oklahoma; Mrs. M. E. 
Brown, Markley, Texas; Thomas L. Stewart, California. 

Mrs. Stewart closes her notes as follows: "I lived much on 
the frontier; have helped many that came in to find homes; I 
took them in and cared for their families without charge; I 
only asked them to do likewise for those who came to them as 
they came to me. I am now 84 years old. I have worked hard 
and have no earthly goods — nothing to clog my wings when 
God calls me to go up higher. \Mse County pioneers, I hope to 
meet vou all in heaven." 



J. C. CARPENTER. 

A man that had a broad acquaintance and many sincere 
friends over this section was Jesse C. Carpenter, who married 
Mary Stewart, daughter of Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Stewart, in 
Butler County, Kansas, December 26, 1867. Mr. Carpenter was 
a native of North Carolina, in Surrey County, in which state he 
was born January 16, 1841. Until the date of his death he was 
one of the foremost citizens of Wise County and a very active 
and successful cattleman and business man. On the night of 
August 25, 1898, he was struck antl killed by lightning while 
engaged in unloading a train of cattle at Decatur, ^^'riting 
of the fatal occurrence and the man, some one truthfully said 
of him, the excerpt being reproduced from a local pai)er as 
follows: "Mr. Carpenter emigrated from North Carolina while 
vet a young man, and located in Wise County in 1868. His 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



2(31 



education was quite limited, but what he lacked in knowledge 
of books was amply made up in native ability. He was a live, 
restless business man, prompt in keeping all his promises and 
engagements. His purse, heart and hantl were always open to 
his friends and those in trouble. And while the writer of this 
has been intimately associated with Mr. Carpenter socially and 
in business matters for the last thirty years, would not write 




MR. J. C. CAIIPEXTER. 



MRS. J. C. CARPENTER-SHOWX, 



him down as being perfect. Yet his faults were few and the 
noble traits in his character were such that those who knew 
him best were disposed to count his failings virtues. He was 
true to friends and his country." 

A few years ago Mrs. Carpenter was married to Mr. Doc 
Shown, and now lives in Jacksboro, Texas. She is one of the 
intelligent, noble women remaining to us from that period. The 
children of Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are Bob and Jess, and Dottie 
who married W. H. Port wood. 



262 PIONEER HISTORY OF AVISE COUXTY, 



T. PERRIN. 

Tenioleoii Perrin was born in Rock Castle County, Kentucky, 
October 16, 1852, and was brought to Texas and Wise County 
by his father, Wni. Perrin, when he was about two years old. 
Mr. Perrin is quiet and unassuming by nature, but is one of the 
best of friends when once his friendship has been won. He is a 
member of one of the best known and best respected families of 
the pioneer days — a family that has always stood by Wise County 
in all her troubles and misfortunes. Mr. Perrin is a member of 
the executive committee of the Old Settlers' Association and has 
always shown a willingness to do his part in every instance. He 
was married in 1882 to Jennie Sensibaugh, a member of another 
old settler family, and five children have been born to them, the 
oldest being now 18. Mr. and Mrs. Perrin are comfortably 
located on a farm south of Decatur. 



DR. WM. RENSHAW.— J. A. RENSHAW.— L. RENSHAW. 

The name Renshaw is interwoven with the successive stages 
of development of this county, beginning in 1859, and is still in 
continuance. In the latter year Dr. Wm. Renshaw^ arrived here 
with his family from White Coimty, Tennessee. He was born, 
however, in Illinois, in the town of Decatur, Sangamon County, 
March 9, 1822. He afterwards emigrated to. W^arren County, 
Tennessee, where he read medicine under his future wife's uncle, 
and on December 23, 1847, he married Sarah A\'orthington. 
Dr. Renshaw then settled in White County and lived some years 
practicing his profession. He also served one or two terms in 
the Tennessee legislature. In 1853, before any settlements had 
been made in Wise County, Dr. Renshaw made an adventurous 
trip to this section, and through the assistance of the Cooke 
County land office, laid a locating certificate over a large and 
rich body of land in Catlett Creek bottom some miles east of 
Decatur. In 1859 Dr. Renshaw brought out his family over- 
land in wagons and established a home on his land, the place 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



263 



beconiiiio; known historically later on as the Renshaw place. 
Dr. Renshaw remained here until about 1870, when he moved 
his family to Decatur, where ultimately he was interested in a 
drug store business. He died May 20, 1887. 

Mrs. Sarah Renshaw was born in Warren County, Tennessee, 
October 1(), 1826. She lived a long life in Decatur antl vicinity, 
raised a large family of children and was esteemed to be one of 




DR. WM. RENSHAW. 



MRS. DR. WM. RENSHAW 



the best and most Christian-like women that ever came to the 
county. Throughout her life she was a devoted member of 
the Baptist C-hurch and lived daily in as near accordance with its 
principles and teachings as she knew how. She was gathered 
to her final and deserved rest August 16, 1904. 

No citizen contributed more to the progress, health and happi- 
ness of the pioneer communities than Dr. Renshaw. He was a 
broadly intelligent man, a splendid physician and active and 



264 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

persistent in his calling, his territory of practice extending 
from as far east as Denton County to Jack County on the west. 
To Dr. and Mrs. Renshaw were born the following children: 
J. A., married Lizzie Perrin; Lucius, married MalindaBell Terrell; 
Mary Emma, died young; Eva Dorinda, married John W. Hogg; 
Alice, married John Ray; Hattie, married R. H. Beall. 
All the above were born in Sparta, Tennessee. The following 
are Wise County children : Charles Franklin, married Rhoda 
PinkstafT; Eugenia Bell, married James Wright; Sarah 
Josephine, married Judge W. H. Bullock; William S., married 
Luna Kenny ; John B., married Anna Calhoun and liv(>s in Cali- 
fornia. The two oldest sons of Dr. and Mrs. Renshaw, J. A. 
and Lucius, have clung to the old inheritance on Catlett Creek 
and have gradually bought up and extended their possessions 
until they own a considerable portion of the region, besides 
numerous horses and cattle. They are wide-awake, enterpris- 
ing, shrewd and careful business men and farmers. They also 
enjoy the confidence of the people, as men of the highest integ- 
rity, honor and character, which heightens their worth and 
value as citizens. 

J. A. or Add Renshaw was born in Sparta', AMiite County, 
Tennessee, October 21, 1848, married March 23, 1869, Lizzie 
Perrin, daughter of Samuel Perrin. Their children are as fol- 
lows: Lucius, died young; Ella, -married S. Hoyl; Will, married 
Anna McCaskey; Gordon, married Larue Sandusky; Ethel, at 
home; Edgar, married Alice Arnett; Sally, Holley, Charlie and 
Gladys, at home. 

Lute Renshaw was born Sei)tember 18, 1850, in Sparta, White 
County, Tennessee; married February 17, 1875, Malinda Belle 
Teri'ell, daughter of Samuel L. Terrell of Decatiu-. Their 
children are: La Fayette, married Jennie Neel, lives in Rhome; 
Eula, teacher in Decatur High School; AlUe, Bessie, Sam, Lutie, 
John, Bascomb, Horace and Ralph, at home. 



HENRY AND TOM JENNINGS. 

Henry and Tom Jennings retain a hold upon the affections of 
all those in Wise County who became informed of the brave and 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



265 



gallant manner in which these two, in connection with others, 
defended the county during the hours when it was being at- 
tacked by savage Indians. There was never a fight or a chase, 
never a night's sentinel, but that one or both of the Jennings' 
were concerned therein . 
Both were close companions 
of Captain George Stevens 
in his many forays with the 
human beasts that preyed 
upon the people of AVise 
County. They were born 
in Lowns County, Alabama, 
June 22, 1830, and October 
8, 1827, the first date Ixnng 
the birth of Tom and the 
latter of Henry. Tom Jen- 
nings married Emeline Fin- 
ley and to them five chil- 
dren were born. Henry Jen- 
nings married Emeline John- 
son in the State of Arkan- 
sas, and to them no chil- 
dren were born. Henry Jen- 
nings last year passed over 
the great divide to again be- 
come a traveler in a new 

country, but a far happier one than his domicile on the frontier 
of Wise County. Tom lives quietly about six miles northwest 
of Decatur, still hearty and in the enjoyment of life. Both 
have made worthy citizens and have shed a lustre on the citi- 
zenship of which they were a part when their l)lood ran warm 
and active. 




MR. .\ND MRS. TOM JENNINGS. 



JOHN A. WASSON. 

John A. Wasson has been a citizen of Wise County since 1859. 
He is 61 years of age, having been born March 14, 1846, and is 
one of the best preserved men in Wise County. His life has 



266 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

largely been spent in the ()|)on, which has cnal^lod him to drink 
deep draughts of God's enlivening ozone and to retain vigor 
and strength as a consequence. Mr. Wasson's early youth was 
spent in Missouri and Kansas. He then came to Wise Count}' 
and followed farming and cattle driving. The most of his life 
has been spent in stock dealing of one kind and another, though 
in later years he lias ujion numerous occasions made the town 
of Decatur an excellent peace officer. He was married March 
20, 1867, to Mrs. Allen Bryant, of ^'an Zandt County, and to 
them was born one child, Josie by name, who on reaching 
womanhood married S. P. Smith, a prominent business man of 
Decatur. During the war Mr. Wasson was twice enlisted in the 
service of the Confederacy, going away the first time with Cap- 
tain Pickett's Comjmny. At the termination of the war he was 
serving in defense of the frontier in a ranger company. 



R. M. COLLINS. 



The subject of this sketch became well known to the |)ioneers 
and the subsequent ]ieriod as its ablest writer and editor, he be- 
ing looked upon for many years as the leader of discussion and 
thought on political and allied c[uestions. He was also gifted 
with L'ish wit and the heavenly capacity for seeing the gleam of 
sunshine that accompanies every dark cloud. Mr. Collins was 
born in Bradley County, Tennessee, January 20, 183S; came to 
Wise County at a very early date, and married May 7, 1868, Miss 
Margaret A. Reed, at Denton, Texas. Mrs. Collins was born in 
Camden County, Tennessee, September 1, 1849. To them the 
following children were born: Effie, born in Denton, married 
T. E. Ponder; Richard E. Collins, joint editor and proprietor of 
the Wise County Messenger, Decatur; Jessie M., marrietl E. P. 
Gibson; Buck, lives at Cleburne; Frances, at home. 

Mr. Collins' prolonged and tempestuous experiences in the 
Civil War as a member of the first company that embarked 
from Wise County, are described in his genuinely interesting 
and amusing book entitled, "Chapters from the LTn written His- 
tory of the War, "excerpts from which have been made in the 



HIOCUAPHICAL. 



207 



foregoing pages. His more intimate history is described by his 
hfe-long friend, Charles D. Gates, in a newpaper article con- 
tributed at the time of Colonel Collins' death in San Antonio, 
about nine years ago. The following are notes made from that 
article : 

Mr. Collins was of poor parentage, who died when he was but 
a- child. He was bound out under the then existing laws to 
John Lane, who emigrated to Texas in 1852. Mr. Lane brought 

Bob Collins with him and 
settled in Smith County, and 
some time afterwards tiled. 
Bob, then a young man, 
then came to Wise County 
with Pleas Brj-ant, who 
settled in the valley near 
Sand Hill. Mr. Collins then 
obtained what little educa- 
tion he had in the Sand Hill 
schools, being one year under 
the guidance of Mr. J. D. 
White, who, in the goodness 
of his soul and the interest 
of struggling young man- 
hood, gave him his tuition 
free. He then came to De- 
catur and clerketl for Howell 
& Allen, the first store of 
Decatur, retaining this posi- 
tion until the beginning of 
the war, when he entered as 
a private and remained throughout its duration , coming out as 
first lieutenant. After the war he was a merchant botl\ at De- 
catur and Denton. Later on, he was a hotel and newspaper 
man, having been (nlitor and proprietor of the Decatur Post 
and Denton Monitor. In his later years he was traveling cor- 
respondent for the Texas Live Stock Journal, in which capacity 
he took sick and died at San Antonio, December 10, 1898. 
Mr. Cates said: "Collins towered away above the ordinary in 




K. M. COLLINS. 



268 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

native ability, antl had not his early education been so woefully 
neglected, he would have been an intellectual giant. He be- 
longed to the Masonic, I. O. O. F., Knights of Pythias, W. 0. W. 
and Knights of Honor fraternities, and was a member of the 
M. E. Church. In youth he struggletl in obscurity, made a 
good citizen in life, and died honorable. I have trod the path 
of life side by side with one of the most noble men I ever knew." 



THOMAS S. COGDELL. 

The family of the above name left Wise County during the 
days of civil war strife back in the early sixties, but up to that 
time had been numbered with the best known and most respected 
citizens of the county. The old pioneers will be interested in 
the following essential facts of the Cogdell family history: 

Thos. S. Cogdell, the forebear, was born in Sampson County, 
North Carolina, in March, 1809, his ancestors being originally 
from Ireland. The young man spent [)art of his youth in 
Tennessee, but in 1834 was living in Farmington, Tishomingo 
County, Mississippi, where he worked as a wood workman and 
blacksmith. In 1842 in the same county he married Pamelia 
F. Brown, after which he moved to Platte County, Missouri, 
where the oldest child was born ; thence in 1845 or '46 to near 
Shelbyville, Tennessee. In 1848 Mr. Cogdell brought his family 
to Cass County, Texas, thence to Dallas County in 1852, and to 
Wise County in 1854, settling on what is now known as the 
Holmes place, seven or eight miles southeast of Decatur. 

Mrs. Cogdell was born in Lawrence County, Alabama, in about 
1824. She was proficiently educated, and began and pursued 
the education of her first children herself. Mr. Cogdell was 
almost uneducated, but a man of fine connnon sense and native 
ability. Mrs. Cogdell came from an old Scotch Covenanter 
family which bore an extreme hatred for AVesleyanism. Mr. 
Cogdell, being a devout and zealous Methodist and remaining 
so all his life, found it necessary to remove his wife from the 
influence of her father before he could proceed with matrimonial 
intentions. Both were strong, independent characters and 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



209 



neither ever forgot their old rehgious procUvities. Their re- 
spective famiUcs were also opposed in politics, one l)eing old line 
Whigs, the other Jacksonian Democratic. Those were honest 
days, when people fought for their principles. In Wise County 
this family was in the thick of the most severe of frontier hard- 
ships, but are reme'mbered to have withstood them bravely and 
with fortitude. In 1865 the family moved to Dallas County, 





THOS. S. COGDELL 



MRS. THOS. S. COGDELL. 



where Mrs. Cogdell died in March, 1865. Mr. CogdcU died in 
1871. Six children came with them to Wise County, namely: 
Alf B., now an aged and respected citizen of Itasca, Hill County. 
As a young man Alf B. went from Wise county in the Ci\'il War 
and his record in successive battles and campaigns reflect upon 
him jH-ofound credit. Mrs. Armenia Ballew, Bos(|ueville; Mrs. 
Emily F. Rogers, Waco; Daniel C, Granbury. Mr. Dan Cogdell 
has lived in Hood County twenty years, and is a wealthy and 
influential citizen; he is president of the First National Bank of 



270 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



Granbury and largely interested in land and cattle. He also has 
a large family: Mrs. Laura Dawson, Houston; Mrs. Russell, 
died at Llano, Texas. The following were born in Wise County : 
John W., died early ; Thos. S., Jr., who now lives in Hood County, 
being a substantial farmer and cattle owner, and highly regarded 
for his upright character. He has only himself and wife in his 
family; James 0., now in Waco; Charles died during the Civil 
War. 



LEMUEL AND NANCY CARTWRIGHT.— DR.'J. W. CART- 
WRIGHT AND C. A. CARTWRIGHT. 

Uncle Ltnn. Cartwright can almost be truthfully described 
as the pioneer of Methodism in Wise County, for he it was, before 




UNCLE LEM CAHTWHIGHT. 



-MRS. NANCY CAHTWHKiHT. 



any churches could be built, surn^ndered his home to the first 
church congregation organized in Wise County. " Old Sway- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 271 

back," described in previous chapters, was the Cartwright home 
befon^ it became the first church. Many hallowed associations 
cling around " Old Sway back," and in identification with them 
will ever remain the name of Cartwright. 

Lemuel Cartwright was born in Bradley County, Tennessee, 
November 28, 1818. His father and mother died in his in- 
fancy, and he was raised an orphan boy. In 1838 he married 
Nancy Mounts, who was a native of Bradley County. They 
came to Texas as early as 1847, and lived in Rusk County, from 
whence they came to Wise County among the earliest of pioneers. 
The names of their children are in succession as follows : George, 
Tom, John W. James, Charlie, Allen, Dock, Lee, and Mary. The 
fourth son, Charlie, now lives in Wise County, and is a prominent 
and respected farmer. He is a man of the highest integrit}^ 
is continuously found identified with all good movements, and 
a worthy descendant of the worthy parents who bore him. 
Mr. Cartwright is another of the valued members of the Old 
Settlers' Association and a useful committeeman. He was 
born October 27, 1850, in Rusk County. Came to Wise County 
in 1854, married, in 1877, Miss Susan B. Gentry. In 1876 he was 
a member of Capt. Ira Long's Ranger company. Mr. and Mrs. 
Cartwright have raised nine children. Mrs. Cartwright died in 
1903, and is buried at Sand Hill. 

Dr. John W. Cartwright, the third son of Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel 
Cartwright, was one of the l)est known and most influential 
Wise County citizens up to the time of his removal to the Pan 
Handle. The early incidents of his life condensed are as follows: 
Born in Carroll County, Georgia, in 1845, came to Smith County, 
Texas, in 1846, and to Wise County in 1854. Enlisted in 1864 
under Major Quaile, Captain Pickett's company for defense of 
Wise County against Indians. Entered school in Jacksonville, 
Texas, at close of war. Returned to Wise County in 1867 and 
taught a session of school at Sand Hill. Returned to school at 
Alvarado in 18()8, and at Mansfield later. Began reading 
medicine in 1869 under Dr. A. K. Middleton, Johnson's Station, 
Tarrant County. Taught second school in Wise County in 1870. 
Entered Medical College, Louisville, Ky., in 1870. Commenced 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



the practice of medicine in State of Illinois, because, as Dr. 
Cartwright says, his tuition and board had consumed his money. 
Returned to Louisville College in 1873 and graduated. In 1875 
he returned to Texas and married Miss Allie Stephens, of Ft. 
^^'orth. Dr. and Mrs. Cartwright located in Illinois where the 
l^ractice of medicine was resumed for several years, or until 
1877, when they returned to Decatur to live. Ten years later 

Dr. Cartwright moved to 
within a few miles of* Ama- 
rillo in the Pan Handle. His 
territory of practice extend- 
ed in vYvvy direction a hun- 
dred or more miles. Dr. 
Cartwright says that he re- 
turned to Decatur from Illi- 
nois " to be with the same 
good people of my boyhood 
days who had been so ready 
and willing to aid me in my 
struggles for an education. 
Such people as these, like 
Moses, will continue to live 
oil and ()n,and whenCabriel 
shall blow his horn, will come 
forward with willing hands 
to continue their good 
work." 

Dr. Cartwright retir(\l from 
the ])ractice of medicine and 
located in Aniarilio. His ranch lands on which he first locatcnl 
increased in value and augmented his nutans quite considerably. 
Seven of th(» nine children born to Dr. and Mrs. Cartwright are 
living, named as follows: Chas. L., with wife and three children, 
live at Dalhart, for three years Methodist minister at that place; 
•Myrtle, married David A. Park, of Canyon City, Texas; Ernest 
A. Cartwright, True and Johnnie, and two little boys, Hubert 
and Rolla, are at home. 




DR. 



W. C.VRTWRIGHT. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



273 



CAPT. CHARLIE C. THOMPSON. 

A typical pioneer is personified in the subject of tliis 
sketch. Ever he has been lirave, liardy and chivalrous 
and gallant, a compound of the qualities which go to 
make an ideal citizen of the frontier. Mr. Thompson is also 
rugged and independent in his views, and accepts political 
doctrine only as it accords with his standards of eijuity. Born 
in Ray County, Tennessee, 
May 12, 1834, he abandon-, 
ed a good home with his 
father, who was a leading 
physician, and in 1858 , 
came to Wise County where 
he has shared in its hard- 
ships and difficulties, and 
aided it towards its present 
place of eminence. On May 
5, 1870, Capt. Thompson 
married Miss Alice Beason, 
who has stood side by side 
with him through his jo}^-; 
and cares. To them has 
been born three children, 
two of whom are married. 
They are Myra, married B. 
B. Sellars, now at Ft. Worth, 
and son of Capt. M. D. Sel- 
lars, of Decatur; Charlie 
Alice, married Clyde McMur- 

ray, son of Hon. T. J. McMurray, of Decatur: Miss Jessie 
Thompson remains at home. Capt. Thompson comes from 
an influential family in Tennessee, and Mrs. Thompson is 
directly related to one of the best known of Texas educators, 
who bears her maiden name. Capt. Thompson's record in the 
Confederate service has been elsewhere describetl. They live 
comfortably five miles south of Decatur. 

18 




C. C. THOMPSON. 



274 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUXTY. 



W. A. KING. 

When the forty-niners were going to California, William A. 
King, with a company of travelers came to Texas. He was 
born in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, August 22, 1827, about 
16 miles from Tuscaloosa. In the year of 1840 he was living 
in the State of Mississippi, from which State he came to 
Texas in 1849. His first rendezvous was in Hopkins and Lamar 

(\junties, and it was 18()0 



before he reached Wise 
County as a permanent 
settler. On April 27, 1848, 
in Tishomingo County, Mis- 
sissippi, Mr. King had mar- 
ried Arena J. Burton, who 
accompanied him to Texas 
in the above year. Tisho- 
mingo County is now known 
as Prentiss County. InAA'ise 
County Mr. King settlednear 
the old Sand Hill camp 
ground, and lived there many 
years, becoming identified as 
one of the moving spirits in 
the connnunity. It is as one 
of the old group of Sand Hill 
citizens that he is best re- 
memb(M-ed. Mr. King served 
for many months in the fron- 
tier ranger service, traveling 
dui'ing the time over a greater part of the wild and unorganized 
territory to the west of Wise County. He accomplished his part 
in all the duties of th(> hour and remains a hale and hearty 
old j)ioneer, beloved and respected by all who know him. His 
childr(>n are: Savilla, wife of J. W. Young; Mollie, widowed 
wife of Tom J. Jarrell; George, of Bowie, Texas; Belle, married 
C. A. Saunders, of Decatur, and Gus, who married Hattie B. 
Gentry, and is a prominent stockman of Clay County, Texas. 




W. \. KING. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



275 



J. D. AVHITE. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Greenville, Ford County, 
Illinois, June 5, 1831, and was educated in the common schools 
of that county and th(^ CJreenville Academy. Among his school- 
mates was Robert G. Ingersoll, whom Mr. White recalls as a very 
studious and elociuent young scholar. Mr. White also recalls 
having heard Abraham Lincoln speak on numerous occasions, 
both Ingersoll and Lincoln making lasting impressions on his 





J. D. WHITE. 



MRS. J. D. WHITE. 



youthful mind. Mr. White came to Texas at the age of 19, 
settled in Dallas County and taught school until fall of 1852. He 
then went to Southwest Texas and joined Capt. H. Clay Davis' 
company of Texas Rangers which had been commissioned by 
Governor P. H. Bell and stationed at Rio Grande City, in 
Starr County, on the lower Rio Grande Riven-. The Com- 



2/b PIOXEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

pany ranged from Brownsville to Laredo and particii)ated in 
a number of hard fought battles both with Indians and roving 
bands of outlaw Mexicans. After being mustered out of service, 
Mr. AMiite came back to Dallas County and taught another 
school, and in 185(3 came to Wise County, where he has since 
resided. One of the best known schools and one of the most 
successful in ultimate results was that which Mr. White taught 
for two or three sessions at Sand Hill. In 1858 Mr. White was 
elected assessor and collector of taxes for ^^lse County, which 
office he retained two terms, ^^'hen the war came up he joined 
the frontier forces and participated in many of the defensive 
operations against the Indians. After the war he held the office 
of Comity School Superintendent for a year, and was then elected 
County Commissioner and re-elected, serving in all six years. 
He saw the beginning of Indian troubles of ^^'ise County as well 
as the ending, having fought in the memorable last fight which 
the savages waged against the county. This was the Huff family 
massacre, the particulars of which have been describetl. Mr. 
White has always been a Democrat and active in politics. He 
is a man of strong intellect, quick to detect falseness and deceit, 
and instantaneous to accord praise and commendation wherever 
such is due. He is representativ(> of a high type of intelligence, 
dutiful and active in his relations to the progress and upbuilding 
of the county and a courageous defender of the truth and up- 
holder of the right. He is one of the revered, strong, shrewd, 
old gentlemen of the pioneer days, and may be filly describefl 
as one of Wise County's grand old men. 

Mr. White was married to Mary Perriii, daughter of Samuel 
and (^aroline Perrin, early citizens of the county. She was born 
in Kentucky, came to Collin County in 1852, and to Wise County 
in 1854. She was a pupil in the first county school and a member 
of the first organized Haptist church. Mr. and Mrs. White's 
children are as follows: Dr. Frank S. White, of Terrell, one of 
the foremost physicians of Texas and ex-superintendent of the 
North Texas Insane Asylum; James P. White, Oklahoma; John 
T. White, at home; Wm. D. White, \Mse County; Gofi' White, 
in Texas Ranger service, Austin; Miss May White, at home; 
Mrs. Roe Shoemaker, Bridgeport. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



277 



MR. AND MRS. JAMES A. PROCTOR. 

The illustration of the family group aceonnjainMiig this sketch 
reprosoiits in the foreground Mi', and Mrs. J. A. Proctor, the hrst 
two persons who were married in Wise County, and in the back- 
ground their children. Mr. Proctor and his wife, who was Mary 
Hunt, were bound in wedlock January 3, 1856, a f(nv months 
prior to the organization of the county. Both Mr. and Mrs. 




PROCTfJR GROUP. 

Mh. and Mrs. Jamf.s A. Proctor Seated in the FoREf;ROUND. 



Proctor came originally from Rock Castle County, Kentuck}-. 
where both were born July 3, 1829, and June 28, 1838, resjx'c- 
tively. Both came to Texas and to Dallas County in the fall of 
1853 with the family of Wni. Perrin, Mrs. Proctor or Mary 
Hunt being the daughter of Mrs. Perrin by a former husbancl. 
The entire party then moved to Wise County, arriving here a 
day before Christmas, 1854. Pre-emptions were taken up just 



2/8 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

on the outskirts of Decatur, southeast of town. At the instiga- 
tion of Colonel Bishop Mr. Proctor then changed his location to 
the IGO acres on which the most of the town of Decatur is built, 
said land being afterwards donated by Mr, Proctor to the countj^ 
for the purpose of having the county-seat established thereon. 
This was in the fall of 1855, preceding the organization of the 
county in the sunnner of 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Proctor lived on 
this pre-emption three years, the log cabin residence standing 
just southeast of the F. W. & D. C. Railway station and across 
the track. Mr. Proctor afterwards lived on Sweetwater Creek, 
then on the Greathouse farm; he then moved back to Decatur 
for a while, and in 1875 moved to old Bridgeport, where he pres- 
ently resides. 

From the foregoing not(^s it is ob\'ious that Cupid began the 
preparations for this original wedding far back in Rock Castle 
County, Kentucky, continued them on the long journey to 
Texas, strengthened them in Dallas County, and brought them 
to culmination in Wise. The marriage took place at the home 
of Ben Haney at Old Aurora, a distance of fifteen miles from the 
home of the principals, to reach which place they traveled on 
horseback. Ben Haney was an authorized official acting under 
Cooke County, who at that time had charge of Wise County 
territory affairs. The day of the wedding was pretty and 
bright, but followed upon a long spell of cold, bleak weath(>r. 
^Yhen the principals arrived they found Mr. Haney absent and 
remained at his home throughout the day. At dusk he returned, 
and by candle-light the nuptials were solemnized. They then 
returned to their crude cabin at Decatur and began the battle of 
hfe. Mr. Proctor remains in fairly good health for one of his 
age, but, sad to say, Mrs. Proctor does not enjoy such good 
health. Their children are as represented in the photogi-aph: 
Mrs. Lucy Gale, Medill, Indian Territory; Mrs. Laura Wood, Chico, 
Texas; Mrs. Mollie Gray, W. D. Proctor, Bridgeport; J. C. Proc- 
tor, Corneta, Texas; J. R. Proctor, Crowell, Texas; Mrs. James 
Stanfield, Ada, Indian Territory; Mrs. Ella Sellinger, Bridge- 
port. Texas; Mrs. Maud Hutchinson. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



279 



WILLIAM A. MILLER. 

In later years the truly original and picturesque subject of 
this sketch became generally known as Uncle Billy Miller, one 
of the j oiliest, most generous and optimistic old men that stepped 
down from the pioneer days to the rustling, bustling present— 






WILLIAM A. MILLER. 



MRS. WILLIAINI A. MILLER. 



a present that was strange to him, yet one which he enjoyed 
with all the heartiness of his ebullient nature. 

\Vm. Alfred Miller was born in Hopkins County, Kentucky, 
in 1817, and before he left that state for Texas, married Mildred 
B. Hughes, who was a faithful helpmeet to him through all his 
days. Mr. Miller came to Burleson County, Texas, in the fall 
of 1853. After three years he returned to Williamson County, 
Illinois, thence back to Burleson County in 1857. Mr. Miller 
th(>n came on a mule to prospect in Wise County, which resulted 



280 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

in his location here in 1859. Mr. Miller first settled the Lockard 
place south of Decatur; finally he moved to his Sweetwater place, 
where he lived at the time of his death in August, 1900. Mrs. 
Miller died two months later, October, 1900. Born to the union 
was a large family of children, as follows: Sallie, married James 
Allen, of Wise County, both being now dead; Frank; Kittie, 
who married Chas. More, a prominent business man, miller and 
respected citizen of Wise County for many j^ears, both Ixung 
now dead; C. H. Miller, born January 13, 1849, Hopkins County, 
Kentucky, married Sarah E. Stacks, of Ellis County, July 7, 
1870. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Miller, 
as follows: Teola, married W. T. Tull, now deceased; Charlie 
M., married, lives in Ft. Worth, Texas; Jake, Dallas, Texas; 
Albert, Ft. Worth, Texas; Robert H. and Lizzie May, children, 
at home. Mr. Miller has served faithfully and efficiently as a 
barber in Decatur for many years; is also a successful inventor 
and an upright and respected citizen. 

Jim F. Miller lives in Clay County; Eliza, born in Bur-leson 
County, Texas, married S. W. Telghman, a prominent builder 
and contractor, and substantial citizen of Decatur; to the latter 
union have been born Minnie, married and living in Omaha, 
Nebraska; Bob, married and living at Decatur; Dan and Will. 

The next daughter of Wm. A. Miller, Mola, is now Mrs. J. H. 
Smith, living in California. 



RICHARD W. BOYD. 

The family of this name has been one of the solid, representa- 
tive and substantial families of Wise County since the early days 
of settlement, l^ncle Dick, as he was familiarly known, was 
one of the best citizens Wise County ever produced, and his 
sons and daughters are numbennl among the (]ui(^t, dignified, 
thoroughly honorable and upright citizens of the county, the 
sons being progressive business men in their respective callings, 
and the daughters esteemed and faithful wives antl mothf^rs. 
R. AV. Boyd was born in Coweta County, Georgia, May 20, 1825; 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



281 



Mary A. Marshall, his wif(% was born in the same county May 9, 
1833. They were married April 12, 1848; moved to Upshur 
County, Texas, near (Jilmer, in 1851, and in April, 18()(), came 
to Wise County and settletl near Aurora. Mr. Boyd partici- 
pated actively in guarding the county against Indians during 
the time of their depredations, upon which account he was j)re- 
vented from entering the war. The names of th(>:r children, 




R. W. BOVI). 



MRS. R. W. BOYD. 



dates of th(>ir l)irth and to whom th(»y were man-led are here 

given ; also their present place of residence : 

James F. Boyd, born September 1, 1850; married Betty Woody 

("Uncle Sam's" daughter), in 1869, Seminole, Texas. 
Martha E. Boyd, born June 17, 1852; married T. D. Woody in 

1869, Fredrick, Oklahoma. 
H. T. Boyd, born August 31, 1855; married Ada Elliott in 1877, 

Bovd, Texas. 



282 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

Jessie A. Boyd, born January 29, 1858; married Woody Rowlett 

in 1878, near Boyd, Texas. 
Emma J. Boyd, born January 21, 1860; married Amos Finch in 

1875, dead. 
J. E. Boyd, born January 14, 1862; married Denie J. Rogers in 

1886, Decatur. 
R. P. Boyd, born April 24, 1866; married Hattie Stephens in 

1897, Boyd. 
Orrey C. Boyd, born March 7, 1869; married G. A. Arrington in 

1892, Boyd. 
Laura L. Boyd, })orii September 26, 1871; married R. H. Frahn 

in 1895, Boyd. 
S. M. Boyd, born July 20, 1874 (unmarried), Boyd. 



J. M. HOLMES. 



Major John M. Holmes had a varied career as a young man, 
which on coming to Wise County enabled him to identify him- 
self with the class of progressive citizens who stood for eveiy- 
thing high in the social, commercial and political activities of 
the times. He is remembered as a man of gentle manners, pos- 
sessed of exalted ideals and pronounced strength of character. 
He was born in West Tennessee January 26, 1818, the son of 
Phineas and Rachel Holmes. When old enough, he engaged in 
selling dry goods, went to Bentonville, Arkansas, in 1830, and 
in 1849 was married to Miss S. E. Hardwick, daughter of John 
W. and Jane Hardwick, who was originally of Jackson County, 
Georgia, where, in 1823, Mrs. Holmes was born. Mr. Holmes 
lived two years in Palestine, Texas, then in Arkansas until the 
death of his mother in 1860. He and his brother, William, 
then engaged in business at Muskogee, Indian Territory. Mr. 
Holmes came to Wise County, bought and settled on the 
Cogdell place in 1863, engaging in farming and stock raising 
until his death. Like many others. Major Holmes served in 
defense of the frontier instead of in the Confederate ranks. 
He died October 27, 1884. Seven children were born to Major 
and Mrs. Holmes as follows j Mary S., born February 22, 1853, 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



283 



married W. P. Russell, of WiscK^ounty; A^'ill H., born January 
31, 1855, married Lena Harrison, 1878; Enmia J., born October, 
185G, married J. S. Brooks; Ella, born May 5, 1858, married 




J. M. HOLMES. 



E. Riley; Annie K., born October 18, 1860, died May 7, 1892; 
John M., Jr., born March (5, 1862, married Eva Knight; James 
M., born January 17, 186(5, died January 7, 1874. 



W. P. RUSSELL. 

W. P. Russell has been a Texan since he was six weeks of age. 
He was born in Illinois, March 22, 1842, and was brought to 
Lamar County, Texas, by his parents a few weeks afterwards. 



284 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY, 



In the latter county and in Hopkins hv lived until 'the year 
of 1856, when with his uncle, High Russell, he came as one of 
the earhest pioneer citizens to Wise County. His uncle was the 
first lawyer who ever settled in Wise County, but when he came 
here thei'e was no legal business to attend to, so he scuttled a 
short distance north of Decatur. W. P. Russell did not long 

remain with his uncle. He 
went to th(> west partof^^'ise 
County and employetl him- 
self to Daniel Waggoner as a 
cattle-tlriver, remaining with 
him twenty long and tempes- 
tuous years. Dm-ing this 
time he camped and scout- 
ed, and hunted cattle over 
most of this section of Texas 
and during the days of In- 
dian warfare participated in 
many chases after thv In- 
dians and in some fights, lie 
was among the band of cow- 
boys whom the Indians 
charged after killing Alvin 
(^lark near the south line 
of the county. (Jeorge Bu- 
chanan was shot Jnit not 
s(>riously wounded in the 
sul)se(|uent charge. Mr. Rus- 
sell went on numerous long drives to Kansas and Colorado 
markets aftei' those states b(>came noted as cattle markets. At 
the ai)iH-oach of the war, he and others made a trij) to Colorado, 
intending to n^turn by the Overland Stage Route. While he 
was away this ser\ice was stoi)])ed l)y the exigencies of war. 
and Mr. Russell and companions were compelled to make a 
detour to St. Louis, thence to New Orleans down the Mississi])i)i 
River, back up to Shrevepoil l)y Red River, thence overland 
to reach home. 

Mr. Russell saw many jjhases of tlie oi)en, rugged i)ioneer life 




W. p. HPSSELL. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



285 



wliik' a cattleman, but after Mr. Waggoner moved the hulk of 
his cattle to the Wichitas he decided to cjuit such an active life. 
He married and bought the old Browder place, living there for 
three 5^ears. For seventeen years Mr. Russell has been the 
successful superintendent of the county farm, and will doubtless 
remain there for some time to come. In November, 1872, he 
was married to Mary S. Holmes, daughter of Major and Mrs. 
Holmes, and to them have been born three children, the oldest 
of whom, Catherine, is the wife of \V. L. Davis, who is associated 
with Mr. Russell in a grocery business. Miss Lena and Glenn 
are the two other children. 



DR. THOS. R. ALLEN. 

Dr. Thos. R. Allen honored Wise County with many long 
years of high and useful citizenship. He is the son of an early 
immigrant to Texas, Richard F. Allen, who came from Missouri 
in 1847 and settled in Den- 
ton County. Dr. Allen 
himself was born in Missouri 
October 23, 1846, and was 
hardly a year old when his 
father brought him to Den- 
ton County. His father 
died in 1850, and in 1855 
his mother married Jess 
Eads, who moved with his 
family to the north part of 
Wise County in 1859. Dr. 
Allen, though a young man, 
reached Wise County in time 
to volunteer as one of her 
soldiers in the Confederacy. 
He served for a while and 
was let out by virtue of the 
conscription act. Dr. Allen 
returned home, but re- 
enlisted, joining Shoemaker's DR. THOS. R. ALLEN. 




286 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

company, state troops, being transferred in 1864 to the Confederate 
army, Colonel Beard's regiment, which was later on captured and 
its members made prisoners of war. Dr. Allen was a prisoner of 
war when Kirby Smith surrendered. Besides his Confederate 
service, Dr. Allen had raised a company of home militia, 
which rendered much assistance in keeping the Indians 
at bay in Wise County. After returning from the war. Dr. 
Allen filled th(» following county offices: Justice* of the peace, 
precinct No. 2; tax assessor; county commissioner and county 
sheriff for two terms. From 1888 to 1891, when he graduated, 
Dr. Allen attended the St. Louis College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons and became a leading physician at Greenwood, Wise 
County, subsec{uently becoming a leading physician at Justin, 
Denton County, his present place of residence. At the present 
time he is president of the Greenwood College Co., also of the 
Penington College Co. at Justin. 



JOHN W. HOGG. 



The essential events in the life of John A\'. Hogg are as 
follows: He is the son of General Joseph L. Hogg, and was 
born in Rusk, Cherokee County, Texas, March 20, 1848, the 
first white child born in that old eastern Texas town. His 
father. General Hogg, was a native of Georgia, who emigrated 
to Texas in 1839, and became identified with the early Texan 
Republic in numerous distinguished ways. General Hogg's first 
home was at Nacogdoches, afterwards at Rusk. From the 
latter place he went to represent his district in one of the early 
Congresses. Upon the convention of the first Texas Legislature* 
in 1846, General Hogg took a seat as the senatorial representa- 
tive of his district. When the war canu* up in 1861 he was 
appointed a brigadier-general in the Confederate service by 
President Davis, and in May, 1862, died at Corinth, Miss., 
in connnand of his brigade. The names of General Hogg's 
children are as follows: John W. Hogg, of Decatur, Wise 
County; Thomas E. Hogg, formerly of Denton, Texas; James 
S. Hogg, the (*minent Governor and statesman of Texas; 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



28^ 



Mrs. M. F. Davis, of Guadalajara, Mexico; Mrs. Julia A. Fer- 
guson, Denton, now deceased. Mr. John W. Hogg came to 
Wise County, April 11, 1871, and soon became associated with 
Capt. George W. Stevens, then sheriff of the county, as deputy 
sheriff. Mr. Hogg then served a term as assessor of the county, 
following which he was elected to the office of sheriff. An inter- 
mission of two years followed when he was elected to fill the 
office of county clerk in 



which he served one term. 
On December 26, 1872, Mr. 
Hogg was married to Miss 
Eva Renshaw, daughter of 
Dr. Wm. Renshaw, after 
which he moved five miles 
east of Decatur to his farm, 
where he resided until the 
fall of 1891, when he moved 
to Decatur to take charge of 
the Decatur post-office for 
two terms, his appointment 
as post-master coming from 
President Cleveland. He con- 
tinued to look after his farm 
and local interests until 1905, 
when he sold his farm, fol- 
lowing which he improved 
his beautiful home in De- 
catur. Personally, Mr. Hogg 
i^ a man of heavy stature; 

he is a man of strong intellect and decidetl views ; he has served 
three terms as an alderman of Decatur and has taken a patriotic 
interest in the material affairs of the town. His mental quali- 
ties are conmianding, much above the average, and had his 
environment been different would doubtless have adorned places 
of eminence in enuilation of the career of his distinguished 
lamented brother. Governor James S. Hogg, whom he pro- 
nouncedly resembles, -in the forceful qualities of his intellect 
and character. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 




J. W. HOGG. 



288 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



Hogg, as follows: W'liiia, niamcd to Dr. C. B. Simmons, a fore- 
most physician of Decatur; Eugenia, married to Furman Great- 
house, of Decatur, and Miss Maud, an accomplished teacher in 
tlie Decatur Hiiih School. 



A. B. FOSTER. 

One of the strougest characteristics noticeable about the 
i-enmants of the early citizens of ^^'ise County is the striking 
affection which they bear. one another. The subject of this 

sketch, A. 
B. Foster, 
although 
deceased, is 
still referred 
to in terms 
of endear- 
ment a n d 
in appreci- 
ation of his 
standing as 
a man wor- 
thy of the 
1 o V e an d 
g r e a t r c- 
spect of his 
compatriots. He was born in Wythe County, \'irginia, August 2, 
1815, was raised in Franklin County, Tenn., where, on June 28, 
1838, he was married to Emily A. Hardwick, of that prominent 
family in East Tennessee. Mrs. Foster came originally from a 
county in Georgia, the date of her birth being February 4, 1821. 
Mr. and Mrs. Foster moved from Tcnniessee to Benton County, 
Ark., in 1843, where a number of their children were born. 
April 28, 1858, they arrived in Decatur and located one mile 
west of town on the Jacksboro road. Mr. Foster died February 
27, 1895, succeeded by the death of Mrs. Foster, August 4, 1902. 




MR. .\ND MRS. A. B. FOSTER. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



289 



This family bore their part of the incidental hardships bravely, 
and for a number of years preceding his death Mr. Foster had 
ably and efficiently acted as deputy county clerk. The children 
of the union are: Margaret Jane, James Thomas, Celina Eveline, 
Martha Isabella, Mary Amelia, Elizabeth, Hugh Montgomery, 
the latter being the generally esteemed Mont. Foster, now acting 
as deputy county clerk. 



A. H. SHOEMAKER. 

The writer pauses to reflect upon the character and personality 
of tljis rugged Christian soldier as he knew him before the 19th 
of November, when he passed into the long beckoning arms of the 

immortal life. It is seen 
that all that Captain 
Shoe m a k e r stood for 





CAPT. A. H. SHOEMAKER. 



MRS. A. H. SHOEMAKER. 



cannot be comprehended within the limitations of the allotted 
space, but a few brief comments published at the time of his 
death by his pastor, Rev. T. H. Morris, will serve to convey 



19 



290 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

some glimpse of the man and his personaUty. Rev. Morris said: 
" There are a few pictures that will ever live in the writer's 
memory; one is this noble old Christian hero as I first knew him. 
His tall, symmetrical figure, lofty brow, eagle eyes, flowing hair 
and beard as white as snow, saintly expression and commanding 
appearance marked him at once as a king among men, one of 
Nature's noblemen. Some have thought that thus must have 
looked Abraham; Moses, Elijah. This strong, tender, resolute, 
noble, true, rugged character carried the mind back to the age 
of the patriarchs instinctively — you saw at once that here was a 
man, one that could say yes or no, and mean it, and having said 
it, could throw the whole weight of a great personality on the 
side he thought right. To see him in his home as tender as a 
woman ; to see him in the battle for right, as bold and aggressive 
as a lion, showed a combination rare and great. When he spake 
men listened. Wisdom and virtue crowned his speech." 

No truer picture could be drawn of Capt. Shoemaker, who was 
numbered among the strongest and most original of early Wise 
County citizens. Yet one other illustration describes character- 
istically this rugged man. Hon. John J. Terrell states that Capt. 
Shoemaker was one time asked what rule he followed to do so 
successfully the things he attempted to do. " By the rule of 
do it," with much emphasis on the last two words, returned the 
Captain. 

Captain Shoemaker left behind very little of the records of 
his early Ufe,but he lived in north and east Texas .before he came 
very early to Wise County. He was married to Malinda Lastly, 
of Franklin County, Missouri, who survives him, and who is now 
with her daughter, Mrs. W. S. Snyder, of Roswell, N. M. Capt. 
and Mrs. Shoemaker reared a large famih^ of children who have 
become well known in the social and business life of this section. 
They are: Artemisa, married Wm. Warden; Milton W., married 
Mary Pickett, daughter of Col. G. B. Pickett; Andrew, married 
Lou Maines; Wm. Jefferson died in youth; Thomas C, married 
Mrs. Ruth Loyd Hussey ; Lauren, married Callie McGill; Jerome, 
deceased; Malinda, married Wm. Spear; Florence, married W. S. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



291 



WM. PERRIN. 

Wni. Perrin was born in Kentucky, November 19, 1846, re- 
moved with his parents to Collin County, Texas, in 1852, 
and to Wise County in 1854. 
Throughout his youth he 
worked the farm in crop 
time and attended school in 
winter, but received little 
education. Early in life he 
t u r n e d his attention , to 
stock-raising and trading, 
and has amassed a consider- 
able fortune. During his 
early manhood in Wise 
County, he participated in 
many fights with the In- 
dians; for instance, with 
Judge Brady at Buffalo 
Springs, and the raid in 
which Pleas Bryan was 
wounded; also in both the 
pursuits that followed the 
massacre of the Babb family 
and the murder of Milton 
Perkins, and others. Mr. 

Perrin is now living in Dickens County, Texas, still engaged 
in the cattle business. He owns a large body of land and is 
known far and near for his frugality and thrift; also his big- 
hearted hospitality. 




WM. PERRIN. 



ELECTIOUS HALSELL. 

The family of the above name is historically associated with 
the social and commercial traditions of north and north-west 
Texas, and the Indian Territory, and is perhaps as well known 
to the people of the above sections as any other representative 



292 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



family residing therein. The forebear was Elections Halsell, a 
native of Kentncky, born January 28, 1816. He moved to 
Alabama and married Miss E. J. Mays, originally of South 
Carolina, in which state she was born February 20, 1818. The 
most of the Halsell children, who attained to wealth and prom- 
inence on the removal of the family to Texas at a very early 

date, were born in the State 
of Alabama. The children 
named in succession are : 
James Thompson Halsell, 
f a m i 1 i a r 1 y k n o w n as 
"Thomps," the father of 
the well-known younger 
members of this branch of 
the family, who were Harry 
H. Halsell, Oscar Halsell, 
Forrest Halsell, Mrs. Gus 
Whitehead and Mrs. D. E. 
Walcott, the first and last 
of whom are now (\steemed 
citizens of Decatur. Oscar 
and Forrest Halsell are citi- 
zens of Oklahoma and Clay 
County, Texas, respectively, 
and Mrs. Whitehead is dead. 
The next in succession of 
the children of Electious 
Halsell is Syclly Ann, who 
married Daniel Waggoner, of Wise County; the third son was 
John Glenn, familiarly and widely known as Glenn Halsell; 
George W., killed by Indians in spring of 1866; W. E. Halsell; 
Ida, the wife of Dr. Jim Einbry, of Bowie, Texas; R. K. 
Halsell, well-known citizen of Decatur; Ella, the wife of W. T. 
Waggoner, of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Edward, who resides in 
the Indian Territory. The three children last-named were born 
in Wise County. 

Electious Halsell came to Wise from Collin County a year or 
two preceding the county organization. He opened up the well- 




ELECTIOUS HALSELL. 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



293 



known Halsell place a short distance south of Decatur. In 1857, 
when Decatur was established, he moved to town and began the 
conduct of a tavern on the southeast corner of the square, the 




OLD HALSELL HOME. 



building occupied being the first constructed house in the town. 
Elections Halsell died in August, 1867, his wife in July, 1870. 



J. G. HALSELL. 

The son of Elections Halsell, the pioneer tavern keeper of 
Decatur, born in Alabama, May 15, 1845, an early comer to 
Wise County, a youthful fighter for wealth and station, married 
Julia F. Earhart, November 15, 1866, arose to station, wealth and 
prominence in after life, died in California, March 16, 1886, in 
brief are the successive events in the career of J. G. Halsell, 
one of the best known citizens of northwest Texas at the time of 
his untimely taking off. 

The life of Glenn Halsell is replete with interest for the young 
man on the eve of entering the battle of life. He began poor, 
and by his owti efforts, industry and economy, arose to a place 
of first prominence in the financial history of Texas. At the 



294 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY, 



same time he preserved his manhood and integrity which he 
left as a heritage to his wife and interesting family of cliildren. 

In early youth Mr. Halsell went on the ranches of western 
Wise County as a common cow hand; he worked hard and per- 
sistently, saved his earnings, invested them in occasional year- 
lings and small lots of land. After a while he married, and his 
choice of a wife proved indeed fortunate. Instead of demand- 
ing an expensive home she heroically accepted what was at hand, 




J. G. HALSELL. 



MRS. JULIA F. HALSELL. 



which was, to say the least, crutle and uncomfortable. Both 
then strived, worked and saved; their accumulations grew, and 
finally Mr. Halsell cut loose from his old employer and moved 
his cattle to the grazing grounds on the Wichitas, where he bi'gan 
his phenomenal success as a cattleman. Thirteen years later 
(1883) he sold out his cattle for $375,000, which princely sum 
represented the reward of a plucky and successful battle of life. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 295 

The following year Mr. Halsell's health failed and he went to 
Southern California with hopes of being restored. The dread 
malady of consumption, however, had fastened its grasp upon 
him, and in 188() claimed him as its victim. 

Mr. Halsell had established a beautiful home on the outskirts 
of Decatur on the old pre-emption which he had acquired as a 
young man. Here he reared a bright and interesting family of 
children who were carefully trained and guided, socially and 
religiously, by the worthy and efficient help-meet who had long 
been his chief est supi^ort. 

Personally, Mr. Halsell was a shrewd, careful and painstaking 
man; he was gifted with more than ordinary intellect, which con- 
tributed to his possession striking foresight and judgment. In 
an active career of twenty years he hatl acheived a fortune of 
$500,000. Just before leaving for California he resigned the 
presidency of the First National Bank of Decatur, an institution 
in which he was principal stockholder. He is survived by his 
wife and all of his children. Mrs. Halsell is loved and respected 
by all who know her. She has had a difficult course to follow 
since the tleath of her husband. The management of the large 
estate fell heavily on her shoulders, as did the responsibility of 
the proper training of her children. She has acquitted herself 
nobly antl well, and is deserving of the high place she holds in the 
estimation of her family and in the social and church circles of 
Decatur and north Texas. The children of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. 
Halsell are as follows: Annie E., wife of Judge W. T. Sinnnons, 
of Ft, Worth; Maud, wife of J. E. Mitchell, a leading jeweler of 
Ft. Worth; Ferdinand, married Rosa Lea Archer, Ft. Worth; 
Glenn, wife of T. B. Yarbrough, a prominent banker. Ft. Worth; 
Josephine, wife of John R. Halsell, cattleman, Ft. Worth. 



DANIEL WAGGONER.— W. T. WAGGONER. 

Far back in the pioneer days of Wise County a young man 
left Hopkins County and came here with all his earthly pos- 
sessions invested in the little bunch of cattle and horses he drove 
before him, and the negro boy slave that helped him drive. 



296 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

The cattle numbered 242 head, the horses 6 head, and the boy 
was worth perhaps .1400.00. Thus was the start of Daniel 
Waggoner in life. Entire volumes have been devoted to the 
achievements of men whose careers and attainments in life were 
not more important than that of Mr. ^Yaggoner, and only a 
glimpse at the essential events in the career of the latter can here 
be imprinted. 

Daniel Waggoner was born in Lincoln County, Tcnn., July 7, 
1828. He was the son of Solomon and Elizabeth Waggoner, the 




"^f^ 




D. WAGGONER. 



former of whom was a native of South Carolina, where he was 
born in 1804; the mother was a Tennessean, born in Lincoln 
County in 1808. The parents came to Hopkins County, Texas, 
in 1848, bringing young Daniel and the remainder of the children 
and all effects. In Hopkins County the elder Waggoner became 
a farmer and cattle-raiser, and an extensive dealer in horses, 
cattle, hogs and negro slaves, and it is logical to assume that 
Daniel Waggoner received his youthful impulses from the 
transactions and successful trading career of his father, which 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 297 

afterwards he converted into the activities that won him such 
distinguished success in similar occupations. His mother was 
a Miss Elizabeth McGaugh, and came from a strong, practical 
family. The Waggoners also were descended from substantial 
origin, the ancestral blood being mixed with German, which 
accounts for the qualities of thrift and economy exhibited in 
the subject of this sketch as well as in his father. 

Until about 21 years of age Daniel Waggoner lived in Hopkins 
and Red River Counties. He had married Nancy Moore, 
daughter of Wm. Moore, and to them one son had been born, 
named William Thomas Waggoner. At the above age he came 
to Wise County, then in its wildest and most unsettled state. 
Here he began to learn the lessons of life from the book of 
Nature, about the only education he received. He also began 
to lay the foundation for the colossal fortune afterwards achieved. 
He located originally about two miles from Decatur, but after- 
wards bought a ranch and about 200 head of cattle from George 
Isbell, in western Wise County, in the vicinity of Cactus Hill. 
This small first purchase was gradually enlarged until finally 
the Waggoner brand became the most numerous of the section, 
which was the stronghold of the largest cattlemen in this section 
of Texas. The acres of land increased also until a vast ranch 
spread out, providing grazing ground for the thousands of head 
of stock. This successful experiment passed through the trying 
periods of war and Indian trouble, and doubtless would not have 
withstood the attacks had not a strong and efficient man been 
constantly at the helm guiding and directing. Thousands of 
cattle were sacrificed, however, to Indians, outlaws and thieves, 
and Mr. Waggoner's life became one of restless activity in pro- 
tecting the vast property which he controlled. During this 
adventurous time he escaped many attempts upon his life by 
Indians and outlaws, and it was due to these harrowing expe- 
riences and the constant necessity for watchfulness that his 
faculties became trained antl acute, and his wonderful insight 
into human motive became developed. Finally the possessions 
of cattle became so great that wider opportunities must be sought. 
The scene of operations was changed to the Pan Handle of 
Texas and Oklahoma, where a half-million acres of land were 



298 ' PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

leased and thousands bought. The ninnber of head of cattle 
grew stupendous, the total possessions represented in money 
being estimated at the date of Mr. Waggoner's death, September 
5, 1902, at from $5,000,000 to 17,000,000. Mr. Waggoner died 
at Colorado Springs, perhaps the strongest man in Texas finan- 
cially. The firm of D. Waggoner & Son, composed of Daniel 
Waggoner and son, W. T., or Tom, who for several years pre- 
ceding the death of his father, was the active manager of the 
vast cattle, land and banking business, was and remains one of 
the strongest institutions of the kind in the Southwest. 

Mr. Waggoner lived at Decatur, a town which, with its people, 
he always loved and who reciprocated the aiTection. Away back 
in the pioneer days, to be exact, on January 6, 1859, he had 
married Cyclly Ann Halsell, daughter of Elections Halsell, his 
first wife having died. Mrs. Waggoner survives her distinguished 
husband and now lives at Ft. Worth, to which place she removed 
within recent years. She is universally beloved by all who know 
her, a regard that she has won by virtue of her kind, considerate 
and gentle ways and manners. 

W. T. Waggoner spent his youth in Wise County antl in the 
Pan Handle where he w^as early associatetl with his father's 
immense enterprises and where he laid the foundation of his 
education in the practical af!"airs of life. He was married in 1877 
to Miss Ella Halsell, youngest daughter of Electious Halsell, of 
Wise County. To them three children have been born: Guy, 
the oldest, is married and lives at Ft. AVorth ; a daughter, Electra, 
married A. B. Whorton, of Ft. Worth; the third child is Paul, 
who is now at school in Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Waggoner 
reside at Ft. Worth, to which {)lace they removed from Decatur 
in 1906. Owing to his father's advanced years Mr. Waggoner 
had assumed the active management of the vast business enter- 
prises of the firm several years before the death of his father. 
The policy of management has been little departed from with 
the exception that the branch of cotton-ginning and oil mill in- 
dustry has been largely abandoned. Th(> several gins and 
mills have been sold, and the funds and attention devoted to 
the banking and cattle business, the industries with which the 
Waggoners have been associated since the early history of Texas. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 299 

Mr. Waggoner has lately entered the financial field in a large way, 
having organized the Waggoner Bank & Trust Co of Ft. ^^"orth, 
one of the strongest and best managed institutions of the State. 




W. T. WAGGONER. 



Mr. Waggoner is regarded as one of the ablest and most forceful 
personalities in the financial and business world of Texas. 



J. B. EARHART. 



Capt. J. B. Earhart's exploits as a frontiersman have been 
alluded to in former chapters of this book. It serves now to 
cite the date and place of his birth and give the names of his chil- 



300 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



dren, all of whom have been closely identified with the past 
history of Wise County. He came originally from Penn- 
sylvania, where he was born in 1812. In his veins flowed the 
thrifty blood of Dutch ancestry. His forebears were Viginians, 
and it was a branch of these that settled the exact location on 
which the national capitol at Washington is built. Capt. 
Earhart spent his youth in Pennsylvania and Ohio, in one of 





CAPT. J. B. EARHART. 



MRS. J. B. EARHART. 



which States he early married a Miss Ehza Ann Gordon, who lived 
but a short while. Later on Capt. Earhart came to Arkansas, 
and in Franklin County was re-married to Mrs. Mary A. Penn, 
the widowed daughter of Wm. Quesenbury, in the early 
forties. He then moved to the Choctaw Nation, Indian Terri- 
tory, and for several years was engaged at various occupations. 
In 1843 he furnished supplies to the garrison- at Ft. Wichita; in 
1845 he was an Intlian trailer at Preston Bend. He then returned 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 301 

to Colbert Station, and until 1850 operated a ferry system. In 
1850 Capt. Earhart settled on Iron Ore Creek in Grayson County, 
Texas, where he conducted a steam grist and saw-mill until 1852. 
In 1856 he moved to Hog Eye Prairie, Jack County, Texas, hav- 
ing traded his mill and farm for a stock of cattle. He became 
a leading stockman, ranger-captain and citizen of the section 
lying along the line of Jack and Wise Counties. The ranger 
company of which he was chief officer performed invaluable 
service in defending Wise and Jack Counties against the incur- 
sions of Indians and outlaws. He lived on the extreme edge 
of the exposed frontier, and his large family of children were at 
all times exposed to the deteriorating influences of an isolated, 
crude environment, but it is due to their original strength that 
they grew up to be sterhng, substantial and honorable citizens 
of the country. The children of Capt. and Mrs. Earhart are: 
Eliza Ann, wife of Jos. Henry Martin, of Chico, Wise County; 
E. P. Earhart, of Lubbock County; Mrs. Juha F. Halsell, of 
Decatur; William Q. and Samuel F. Earhart, both deceased; 
Joe Ellen Earhart, wife of L. P. Bea Vert, Durant, I. T., and 
T. 0. Earhart, Lubbock County. 



JOHN W. HALE. 



In the year of 1824 Josiah Curtis Hale was journeying from 
Kentucky to Texas when the exigency of the situation necessi- 
tated stopping for a time at Bolivar, Tenn., where, on December 
24th, his wife dehvered to him a son. Captain John W. Hale, 
the subject of this sketch. The Hales continued their residence 
in Tennessee for two or three years, when they came as pioneer 
citizens to the Republic of Texas, receiving as their reward a 
league and labor of land in Red River County. 

Capt. Hale's ancestry dates back to that well known family 
of New Elngland, members of which are distributed throughout 
that portion of the Union. His mother was Rhoda Gregory, of 
Kentucky. The earliest years of his life were spent in north and 
east Texas. In 1849 a family of Fullingims came to Red River 



302 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY, 



County from Alabama, and on November 29, of that year, John 
W. Hale was married to Mary Elizabeth Fullingim, the fifth 
child and first daughter of the Fullingim family, which numbered 
seventeen children. After marrying, Capt. Hale left his father 
and lived in Hopkins County three years. He then came to 
Wise County, arriving here July 13, 1854, and settled four miles 
north of Dc^catur, where he resided many years. Upon the 





CAPT. JOHN W. HALE. 



MRS. JOHN W. HALE. 



organization of the County in 1856 he was elected first sheriff, 
and he was subsequently elected the county's first surveyor, 
continuing in office for a number of years. By these means he 
early became identified in the leadership of the county affairs, 
a position he retained until his death in Decatur, June 17, 1885. 
He was foremost in the organization of military affairs in Wise 
County at the inception of the Civil War; he was made chief 
enrolling officer and placed in preliminary charge of the post and 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 303 

arsenal at Decatur, from which relation he gained the title he 
bore. He was always a thoughtful, high-minded citizen and a 
staunch Democrat, and was sent to serve one term in the Legis- 
lature. His knowledge of surveying and intimate acquaintance 
with land affairs led him to engage in the real estate and abstract 
business, occupations in which he was engaged at the time of his 
death. He was also largely interested in Western lands, having 
laid certificates of location over many thousands of acres in 
western counties for himself and others. By systematic atten- 
tion to business he acquired considerable property holdings in 
Wise and adjoining counties. He died beloved and respected 
by all, and was interred under the ceremonies of the Masonic 
lodge of which he was a faithful and zealous member. Capt. 
Hale is survived by his wife, born in Morgan County, Ga., July 
25, 1824. She came with him as one of the very first citizens 
to the county, and has borne the full brunt of all the pioneer 
hardships which continued until their removal to Decatur in 
1873. Capt. and Mrs. Hale were prime supports of the M. E. 
Church in its infancy and later history in this vicinity. They 
had one daughter, Rowena by name, who was married to Charles 
D. Cates, of Decatur. 



J. P. FULLINGIM.— MRS. VIRGINIA FULLINGIM.— MRS. 

MARTHA WILTON.— DR. GEORGE C. WILTON. 

LISBY L. WADE. 

Those bearing the above names are representatives of various 
branches of one of the best known families who were identified 
in various capacities with the early and later history of the 
county. The family of Henry Fullingim, the forebear, originated 
in the State of Georgia, where little is known of the antecedents 
or prior history of the branch. Of the mother, who was Martha 
Wade, and subsequent wife of Henry Fullingim, more is known. 
She was a member of a prominent and wealthy family of 
slave-holders, which lived according to the luxurious style of her 
class, and was largely identified with the political and social 
affairs of their section. Henry and Martha Fullingim were the 



304 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



parents of seventeen chiklren, the most of whom were pioneers 
of ^^'ise County. The family first moved to Alabama, then came 
to Red River and Hopkins County, Texas, where the father died. 
The children and mother then gradually emigrated to Wise 
County. The children in succession were: William, Peyton, 
Asbury, Fletcher, Mary, Frances, Martha, Edward, Archer, 
Antoinette, Henry, Jeanette, Raymond, twins diefl in youth. 




DR. GEORGE WILTON. 



LISBY WADE. 



Cornelia and Jesse. Three of these only remain. They are: 
Mary, the surviving wife of Capt. J. W. Hale: Antoinette, the 
surviving wife of Martin Stuart, and Jesse P. Fullingiin,a prom- 
minent citizen of Wise County. 

Mrs. Martha Wilton died in 1905. She was married to H. 
H. Wilton, of the Dominion of Canada in 1856, and three children 
were born to them. These are: Dr. Henry Wilton, of Nocona, 
Texas; Dr. George C. Wilton, of Ryan, I. T., and Mrs. P. J. Wade, 
of Oak Grove comnmnity. Wise County. Aunt Martha, as she 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 305 

was familiarly known, was one of the splendid, grand old women 
of her time. She died, and was mourned by a large concourse 
of friends and relatives. Her husband died in a Federal prison 
at Chicago during the Civil War, where he was confined as a 
captured soldier of the Confederate Army. Archer Fullingim, 
the sixth son of Henry Fullingim, married Virginia Morris in 
Parker County, Texas, in 1858, lived through the early settle- 
ment of Wise County, and reared a large family, dying in 1883. 
The children of this union, named as follows, are sterling, honest 
and progressive citizens of the county : Jeanette, married W. P. 
Roberts, of Bridgeport; Alfred, married Mahalie Ball; Rowen, 
married Jennie Godwin, deceased; Mary, Martha, Maggie, 
wife of Augustus Pickett, Jarrett (Shirk), and Frances. Mrs. 
Archer Fullingim survives her husband. Jesse P. Fullingim, 
the youngest of the seventeen children of Henry Fullingim, 
came to Wise County with the vanguard of early immigrants. 
He was born in Benton County, Alabama, December 24, 
1842. In 1869, following his prolonged service in the 
Confederate Army, he was married to Annie Donald, of Lewis- 
ville, Denton County, Texas. For many years his home 
in Wise County was seven miles north of Decatur, but he now 
resides in a beautiful new home just outside and north of 
the town of Decatur. Mr. Fullingim is referred to many times 
in the foregoing pages as connected with the war and Indian 
depredation history of the county. In 18G2 he enlisted in Co. B, 
Fifteenth Texas Cavalry, Sweet's Regiment, Granbury's Brigade, 
Cleburne's Division, and served throughout the war. He was 
captured at Arkansas Post, detained in prison and finally trans- 
ferred. He lost an eye in a later battle in Tennessee. Mr. 
Fullingim is a leader in the business and political affairs of the 
county; a zealous Methodist and a supporter of all good move- 
ments. Mr. and Mrs. Fullingim have three children as follows: 
Dr. M. D. Fullingim, of Argyle; Mrs. C. C. Chance, of Oklahoma, 
and Mrs. P. L. Wade, of Decatur, Texas. 

Dr. George C. Wilton, the second son of H. H. and Martha 
Wilton, now of Ryan, I. T., is one of those successful practi- 
tioners of Wise County pioneer ])lood who triumphed over 
early educational difficulties and made a name and reputation 

20 



306 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

for himself. He was born in Lamar County, Texas, March 1, 
1859, came to Wise County with his parents in 1860, setthng 
five miles north of Decatur. He attributes his present position 
to the strong good sense and will power of his mother, who, 
left a widow, battled her way through countless difficulties and 
brought her children up strong, capable and useful. Dr. Wilton 
finished his defective education in Decatur in 1881 ; the next 
year he was elected county surveyor, holding office until 1886; 
in 1883 he was married to Miss F. E. Taylor. In 1889 Dr. 
^Mlton attended a medical school in St. Louis, and in 1890 
located at Ryan, where he has been a close student and success- 
ful practitioner of his profession. The children of Dr. and Mrs. 
AVilton are: MaUd, one of the leading druggists of Ryan; Ona, 
died in infancy, and Rowan, now progressing in the Ryan High 
School. 

Lisby L. Wade, of Ryan, Okla., is the oldest son of Mr. and 
Mrs. P. L. Wade, of Oak Grove community. Wise County. Mrs. 
Wade is a daughter of Mrs. H. H. Wilton, deceased. Thus, the 
subject of the sketch, Lisby L. Wade, is a descendent of the 
truest and best of pioneer people. He was born and reared in 
Wise County about five miles north of Decatur. Having secured 
a primary education in the primaiy schools of his ccunmunity, 
he entered, in 1898, the High School at Decatur, from which he 
graduated. He then received collegiate training in the Ft. 
Worth and Georgetown universities. After teaching school at 
various points in his native county, he moved to Oklahoma in 
1906, and was elected superintendent of the High School at Ryan, 
a position which he discharged with such ability as to win for him 
a reconmiendation to the office of superintendent of public 
instruction of Jefferson County, to which place he aspired. In 
the election of 1907 he was chosen for this office. My. Wade 
has reached his imusually advanced position for one of his age 
by virtue of sheer force of character and indomitable will. 
Every stej) of his ])rogress grew out of his own initiative and 
latent impulse. That hv is destined to achieve for himself 
an enviable place in the educational and legal history of Okla- 
homa is the i(l(>a that his Wise County friends take pride in 
nurturing. Mr. Wade is now laying the ground work for sub- 
sequent advancement in the legal profession. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



307 



C. D. GATES.— D. C. GATES.— R. G. GATES. 

The three above named, together with their sister, Mrs. P. P. R. 
Gollom,are the children of Gharles Gates, who died in Tennessee, 
at the age of 45, and Narcissa Gates, famiUarly known as 
Aunt "Giss," a sterhng inhabitant of the prolonged period of 
pioneer life. The children were left without a father during 




CATES GROUP. 

(Four Generations.) 

D. Clabe Gates, Mis. Ben F. Allen and child B. F., Jr., Mrs. Narcissa Cates 
(•' Aunt Ciss "), Aged 84 at Death. 



their early youth, and were forced in povert}'^ to battle for sub- 
sistence among the barren hills of East Tennessee. 

Gharles Gates, Sr., and Narcissa were born on the French 
Brood river, in upper East Tennessee, in 1804 and 1808 re- 
spectively, and spent most of their lives in Bradley County. 



308 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



The husband was active as trader and speculator, accumulating 
some property which was afterwards lost to him. His death 
followed, and the double blow fell hard on the widow and 
eight children, who managed too eke out a miserable existence 
on a farm. In the fall of 1854 the family came overland to 
Collin C'ounty, Texas, and the next year came on to Wise 
County, settling three miles south of Decatur, where the hard 
battle of life was renewed. 
Charles D. Cates was born January 7, 1839, near Cleveland, 




CHARLES D. CATES. 



MRS. CHARLES D. CATES. 



Bradley County, Tennessee. His father died during the sixth 
year of his age, and the first fifteen years of his life were en- 
gaged in the struggle above described. Opportunities for 
achieving the rudiments of an education hardly existed, and 
throughout his life this blessing, by virtue of the keenest ad- 
verse circumstances, was denied him. Arriving ' in Wise County 
in 1855 he assisted his mother in opening up a farm ; he then 
came to Decatur on the location of that town in 1857, and 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



309 



entered the store of his brother and brother-in-law, Dave Gates 
and P. P. R. Collom, staying there until his brother's health 
failed. He then took his brother to Matagorda Bay, and find- 
ing no relief for him returned to Wise County, where his brother 
died. Mr. Gates then entered the firm of Bishop & Blythe for 
three years, at the end of which time he was appointed War Tax 
Gollector in the Confederate service, his district extending over 
ten large counties, his office ranking as Golonel. This ad- 
venturous service, bringing him in contact with various danger- 
ous experiences and situations, strengthened and developed 
him and he retired at the entl of the war, fully capable of 




MR. AND MRS. P. P. R. COLLOM AND DAUGHTER 
OLLIE. 



striking out for himself. At the end of the war he engaged in 
the mercantile business with J. G. Carpenter, buying goods and 
selling'them for cattle, which were driven to New Orleans and 
Kansas markets. He was next associated one year each with 
Major Wharton and Judge W. W. Brady, after which he formed 
a co-partnership with Gephus W. Woods, under the firm name 
of Gates & Woods, conducting a general mercantile business for 
eight years, terminating in the death of Mr. Woods. After 
eight more years of mercantile life Mr. Gates grew tired and 



310 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

sold out. During the latter part of his business life he had 
become a trader and speculator in other lines, principally real 
estate and stock. He accumulated considerable property — gen- 
erally owned from one to five farms, and at one time owned 
a ranch of 12,000 acres in West Texas, stocked with 250 head 
of hoi'ses. 

At an early date he conceived the idea of buikling a toll 
bridge across the West Fork river at old Bridgeport, which he 
did at a cost of -$6,000.00. At one end of the bridge he put up 
a store and built a saw and grist mill with cotton gin attach- 
ments. He then laid out the town of old Bridgeport, and on 
having a well dug discovered the Bridgeport vein of coal. The 
present Wise County Coal Company was organized and char- 
tered, an institution in which he presently retains an interest. 
Mr. Cates became identified with Indian Depredation Claims in 
1878. He sued the U.S. Government for about $300,000 in behalf 
of himself and pioneer neighbors, and after about ten years of 
litigation succeeded in collecting the most of this amount. On 
March 12, 1868, Mr. Cates was married to Rowena T. Hale, the 
only daughter of Capt. John W. Hale. Preparatory to his mar- 
riage he had bought a small home in Decatur, in which he 
located the same year, and in which all his children were born. 
Mr. and Mrs. Cates lived in this house for 39 years, enlarging 
the house as the family grew, Mrs. Cates was born in Red 
River County, September 17, 1850 at a village called Halesboro. 
She was brought to the frontier of Wise Count}' when about 
three years of age, and has spent her life here. The living 
children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Cates are Charles C, Jr., 
married Lorena Kimbrough, resides in Dallas, Texas; John H. 
Cates, married Opal Kenny, resides in Decatur; Cliff D. Cates, 
Ada N. Cates, Archie B. Cates and Mary E. Cates, of Decatur. 
Mr. and Mrs. Cates presently reside in a modern home on their 
farm, three miles north of Decatur. 

The conspicuous part played by D. C. (Clabe) Cates in the 
ranger service of the State has been heretofore referred to. He 
was born in Bradley County, Tennessee, February 5, 1842. His 
early life was greatly restricted, akin to that described as ap- 
pertaining to his brother, Charles D. Cates. On coming to 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



311 



Wise County he was in later years absorbed in a manly defense 
of the people against the encroachments of the Indians, follow- 
ing which he was inducted into the Confederate service, in 
which he fought throughout the war, his most valliant defense 
being to assist -the First Texas Cavalry in keeping General 
Banks from entering Texas with large Federal forces. 

Mr. Cates joined the Confederate army while on the frontier. 
His company was ordered to San Antonio and made a part of 
the First Texas Cavalry. 
Reorganization followed at 
Brownsville and Fort Rin- 
gold on the Mexican fron- 
tier, and the regiment was 
then sent to watch Banks, 
who was trying to enter 
Texas from the sea coast. 
Banks was foiled in several 
such attempts ; he then de- 
parted antl tried to return 
through Louisiana. The 
great battles of Mansfield 
and Peach Tree Hill, and 
others, were then fought, 
in all of which Banks was 
routed. Mr. Cates took part 
in all these fights and others 
of the great war, and re- 
turned home only when 
peace was declared. He 
became a pioneer merchant, 

farmer and land owner, and esteemed citizen. In November, 
1867, he was married to Mrs. W. H. Portwood, of Hopkins 
County, Texas, and has reared a large and interesting family of 
children. Mrs. Cates, whose girlhood name was Elizabeth 
Lindly, was born in Dade County, Kentucky, February Kith, 
1841. Her father's name was Eli Lindly, of Hopkins County, 
Kentuck}'. He came to Hopkins County, Texas, at an early 
date and established a ranch and grew to be wealthy in cattle 




MRS. D. C. CATES. 



312 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



and lands. He was also one of the early wealthy ranchmen of 
Wise and Jack Counties. On her mother's side Mrs. Gates is a 
descendant of the Crisps, in which group was numbered Senator 
Crisp of Missouri, and Speaker Crisp of Georgia. In her youth 
Mrs. Gates attended the old McKinzie Institute in East Texas, 
and Sylvan Academy at Dangerfield, Texas. In 1856 she was 
married to Capt. W. H. Portwood, who was wounded in the 
Civil War and died from the effects. To this union two chil- 
dren were born, W. H. Port- 
wood, a wealthy cattle- 
man of Baylor County, 
who married Dotty, 
(laughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
J. C. Carpenter, and Beulah 
Portwood , who married 
Clabe Lindly. Mrs. Gates 
came to Wise County in 
1866, and in 1867 was mar- 
ried to D. C. Gates, and to 
them have been born six 
children, as follows : Estella 
J., married to Ben. F. 
Allen, \^ernon, Texas; G. 
Mack Gates, of Fort Worth, 
married Ethel Jones, of De- 
catur; Charles Orville, mar- 
ried, wife deceased; Joseph 
M., a student of medicine; 
PJthel, wife of Dr. A. B. 
Leeds, of Chickasha, Ok.; 
Finer Gates, at home. Mr. 
and Mrs. D. G. Gates presently reside in Decatur, where they 
have large property interests. 

The numerous references to the name of Robert G. Gates in 
the foregoing pages indicate the important part played by him 
in the settlement of Wise County. He acted as the county's 
Sheriff for eleven successive years, taking a place in the 'second 
administration and retaining it until after the war. He was 




ROBT. G. CATES. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 313 

born in McMinn County, Tenn., January 8th, 1836. The pov- 
erty and distress of his youth were akin to those described in 
connection with his brothers, Charles D. and D. Clabe Cates. 
Robert Cates being the older brother naturally bore a large 
share of the burdens and responsibilities of the family, both in 
Tennessee and Texas. From Collin County he came in advance 
of the family to seek out a location, and afterwards worked 
zealously to get the home established. He was enabled to ob- 
tain very little education, but his sharp conflicts with nature 
and men have developed him into a man of unusual shrewd- 
ness and strength of intellect. In his early scoutings about 
the county as sheriff he dared the Indians and defied the 
elements, and grew to be a stalwart defender of the county 
and prosecuter of criminals. He is a successful trader and 
dealer in live stock ; has reared and provided comforts for a 
large family, and presently resides on one of the best farms in 
Wise County, about three miles south of Decatur. At a very 
early date Mr. Cates was married to Miss Elizabeth Taylor, 
daughter of Judge Frank Taylor, one of the early Chief Justices 
of Wise County. The names of their children are: Frank, mar- 
ried Lucy Ewing; Clabe, deceased; William, married Florence 
Davis, recently elected first Sheriff of Stephens County, Ok.; 
Perry, married Edith Evans; Joe, married Lillian Gentry, de- 
ceased; Bobbie, deceased; Ella, wife of Charles Davis, Wise 
County; Dick, married Minnie Evans; Ed, married Eva Caver; 
Bob, married Anna Davis. 



MAJOR S. M. GOSE AND SONS. 

Struggling through adverse circumstances of the bitterest 
nature, and yet retaining a hold on honor, uprightness and Chris- 
tian virtues, is the history of the family bearing the above 
name. Implanted in the pioneer community at an early date, 
and contributing to its moral and civic elevation at every step 
of its hard })rogress through all the slow-marching years, the 
Gose name is ineffacably linked with all movements of benefi- 



314 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



cence tending toward upraised community life and individual 
worth and efficiency. Out of the hardships of years, tempered 
and steeled by the troublous passage, has come a bright array 
of sons and daughters to honor the forebear, themselves so im- 
measurably worthy in their days of youth and action. 

The paternal forebear of this family, Major S. M. Gose, was a 
native of Indiana, born January 27, 1S24. He was of strong 
German extraction, and a descendant of one of the first 
families of Virginia, the native county in the latter State being 
Wythe. At an early date in his careei" Major Gose migrated to 
Sullivan County, Missouri, and started life as a farmer. On 
November 8, 1849, he was married in Sullivan County to Mary 
F.Gerking, who also was of German extraction, and a native of 
Kentucl^y, having been born near Louisville, May 30, 1836. 
Several years of residence in Missouri followed, and then in the 
year of 1859 Major Gose came to Texas, settling in Denton 
County, near the Wise county hne. In March, 18()1, he came 




MAJOR S. M. GOSE. 



MRS. S. M. GOSE. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 315 

over into Wise, and located permanently at the county capital, 
Decatur. Major Gose lived through the trying period of the 
war here, serving the local constituency in many useful ways. 
He followed the trade of blacksmithing and hammered out 
many of the arms for the local Confederate volunteers. After 
awhile his native ability and integrity was recognized, and he 
was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, a place of trust 
held by him for a period of twelve to fourteen years — off and 
on. It was during the tempestuous times of war that Major 
and Mrs. Gose led in the movement to organize a Methodist 
Church, a circumstance alluded to in previous pages. The home 
of the Goses became the rendezvous of Methodist authority and 
action, and its hosts may be properly styled the parents of 
Methodism in Decatin-. 

On September 26, 1871, Major Gose moved with his family 
to a farm four miles north of Decatur, on Catlett creek. Soon 
afterwards, assisted by others, he began the erection of the first 
real school-house built north of Decatur, which was named the 
Gose school-house. Many pioneer boys received the rudiments 
of an education here. Gose camp-grounds became known for 
twenty years afterwards. Major Gose died January 14, 1877, a 
worthy, honored and esteemed citizen. He is survived by his 
wife, who came to Decatur years ago, and is now the town's 
oldest citizen. She is known for her many j^ious, Christian vir- 
tues, and noble and gentle womanly qualities. She remains 
also a stalwart supporter of all the ramificatons of Methodism. 

Major and Mrs. Gose reared ten sons and tlaughters, alluded 
to as follows: 

Martha, married J. D. Harding, deceased; Mrs. Harding re- 
sides in Decatur, a worthy. Christian woman, and the mother 
of a large family. 

Henrietta, wife of James Perrin, of near Sycamore, Wise 
County. Mr. Perrin is the son of the pioneer, Samuel Perrin. 
Born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, March 14, 1838; he settled 
in Wise County with his parents in 18.54. During the Civil 
War and years of Indian troubles, he was a State ranger, 
located for some time at old Buffalo Springs. Finally his com- 
pany was absorbed into the Confederate service, and he 



316 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY, 



mained guarding the frontier throughout the strife, head- 
quarters at Fort Belknap, Young County. He was married 
April 13, 1870, and has lived almost continuously in Wise 
County as a prosperous and enterprising farmer and stock raiser. 
He has a large and respected family of children. 

W. D. Gose attained to prominence in the business, political 
and financial realms of Wise County. Familiarly known as 
"Dave," he became beloved by all who knew him for the ster- 
ling qualities he possessed. For four years, 1878 to 1882, he 
served Wise County as District Clerk, studied law and was ad- 
mitted to practice in about 1882. Retiring from practice in 
1893, he had accumulated considerable means and business sa- 
gacity, and was elected vice-President of the First National 
Bank, a position held up to within a short time preceding his 
death, January 18, 1898. Mr. Gose married Lizzie Outler, 
whose lamented death preceded his by a few months, the date 
being September 14, 1897. 





DR. .1. C. GOSE. 



MRS. J. C. GOSE. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 317 

Dr. J. C. Gose, the second son of Major and Mrs. S. M. Gose, 
better known to Wise County people as "Coy" Gose, resides now 
at Kruni, Denton County, Texas, where for a number of years 
he has been a leathng citizen and prominent and successful phy- 
sician. His tempestuous, adverse boyhood days were spent in 
Wise County. His birth occurred near Milan, Missouri, April 
30, 1858. In the early subscription schools of Decatur, he re- 
ceived his preliminary training, which preceded several years' 
hard work on the farm, when he returned again to school at 
Decatur. Dr. Gose then began to teach school, his first one 
in the community where his parents lived and where he had 
worked on the farm — at the Gose school-house. His battle up- 
ward was a sturdy, incessant fight; the difficulties he overcame 
were numerous and discouraging, and his later success is a tes- 
timonial to his inherent manhood and courage. During his 
days as teacher he began the study of medicine, following the 
course attentively until he was graduated, in 1893, from the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons, at St. Louis. October 23, 
1884, Dr. Gose was married to Annie Lee Chance, who, as his 
life's partner, has been a true helpmeet. One child only has 
been born to them, Sly an Paul, by name, who now^ is married 
and lives at Krum. 

Judge John G. Gose, of Decatur, fifth of the children of Major 
and Mrs. S.M. Gose, has been a resident of this immediate com- 
munity throughout the whole of his life with the exception of 
six months of infancy spent in Denton County, in the extreme 
western part of which he was born September 29, 1860. At six 
months' of age he was brought by his parents to reside in De- 
catur; his childhood was spent in the old county capital, and 
since reaching mature age his activities and endeavors have been 
identified with the county's life at large. No man, doubtless, 
has a larger acquaintance in the county, and no retired or incum- 
bent public official is looked upon with higher approval for the 
course pursued in public office than Judge Gose. His life has 
been a struggle upward from the deprivation of pioneer boy- 
hood, every step of which has been won by sheer inherent 
ability and resource. The first twenty years of his boyhood 
and young manhood was spent in Decatur, and upon his 



318 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



father's farm, on Catlett Creek. Then ho began Hfe as a clerk 
in Decatur. This was in 1881. In 1883 he was married to 
Minnie Gate, formerly of Sevier County, Tennessee, a most ex- 
cellent and accomplished young woman, and graduate of Car- 
son-Newman College, Jefferson, Tennessee. Mrs. Gose is pop- 
ular with her acquaintances, kindly and sympathetic in her re- 
lations with friends, and decidedly gifted intellectually. Some 
time after his marriage Judge Gose began the study of law 

and was admitted to a long 



course of profitable practice 
in 1893. The following year 
he was chosen unanimously 
as City Attorney, and at the 
same time began to build 
uj) a profitable business, 
both as real estate and 
loan agent, and as an at- 
torney. In 1902 he made 
the race unopposed for 
County Judge, being elected 
and re-elected for a second 
term without opposition. As 
County Judge he made a 
popular and efficient officer, 
and as ex-officio Superin- 
tendent of County Instruc- 
tion achieved a cordiality 
with the teachers hardl}^ 
equaled before or surpassed 
since. His record in these 
allied positions is an enviable one. Judge Gose's other public 
activities have been manifested in such positions as President 
of the Public School Board, Steward of the Methodist Church, 
Executive officer of the Old Settlers' Association, and in various 
capacities of like nature. In whatever he attempts he becomes 
enthusiastic to a marked degree ; he is popular and well liked 
by his townsmen, open and generous in all his dealings, antl 
a servitor of (exceeding usefulness in many capacities. Six 




DR. J. M. GOSE. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 319 

children have been born to Judge and Mrs. Gose, five of 
whom are living: they are Birdie, wife of Roy Gililland, of 
Fort Worth; Emory, a student of electrical science in Wash- 
ington, D. C; Harry, Orlena and Frances. Judge and Mrs. 
Gose reside at Consuelo, a beautiful country home near Decatur. 

The sixth and seventh children of Major and Mrs. Gose are 
Mary, wife of T. J. Waggoner, of Wichita Falls, and Maggie, wife 
of J. A. Harvey, of Alvord. 

Dr. Joe M.Gose.of Alvord, a successful practicing physician, 
was eighth in line of birth. He was born on the Catlett Creek 
farm, January 26, 1867, and remained there until manhood. On 
February 17, 1889, he was married to Lela Fox, whose untimely 
death occurred at Alvord, February 27th of this year. Dr. 
Gose graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 
at St. Louis, in 1893, and located in Alvord the same year. 
He followed up his medical studies by taking a post-graduate 
course at Chicago, in 1905. Like his brothers he has won his 
present success in the battle with life in the face of adverse cir- 
cumstances. He is quiet and gentlemanly in manner, faithful in 
his profession, and generally popular with the people of his 
town and community. 

The two youngest of the Gose family of children are Stephen 
M. and Cora, the latter the wife of J. L. Sellars, a capable 
farmer and blooded stock raiser of this vicinity. Stephen M. 
was married to Allie Jarrell, January 27, 1896, she of a pioneer 
family. No young married couple is more popular in sub- 
stantial circles than Mr. and Mrs. Steve Gose. They live in a 
modern home on the outskirts of Decatur, and have two 
children. 



J. A. WATSON. 



Born in Tennessee, and settling in Wise County in 1854, Mr. 
Watson has been known for his quiet and inoffensive citizen- 
ship since the county life was started. He was one of the first 
to emigrate here, and has remained throughout, faithful to 
his duties to his county, his people and his kindly Father 



320 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 




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BIOGRAPHICAL. 



321 



above. He has reared and instructed a large family of chil- 
dren, who now are married and living away from home. 
During the youthful days 
of the county Mr. Watson 
was married to one of the 
pioneer daughters, who was 
unfortunately overtaken by 
death. He was again mar- 
ried and at present lives on 
one of the best farms in 
Wise County, a few miles 
east of Decatur. His 
children are: Nancy Ellen, 
married to William A. Ful- 
lingim; Mary Emma mar- 
ried to L. P. Terrell; Mar- 
garet Elizabeth, married to 
JohnF. McMurtry; JohnT., 
married Dorothy Fowler; 
James Loving, married Eli- 
zabeth A. Bailey; Edwin 
B., married Mae Cook. 

J. A. WATSON. 




MR. AND MRS. JOE HENRY MARTIN. 

Some men achieve popularity over antl above their fellows 
because of the possession, or exhibition of certain unusual 
traitsof character. Such an unusual character is Mr. Joe Henry 
Martin. He has grown now to considerable age, but the merry 
gleam in his eye, perennially present, has not departed. 
Uncle Joe measured up to the true requirements in the accjuittal 
of the pioneer responsibilities of citizenship, but always took 
time to investigate every prospect and situation for the fun 
there was in it. He faced the somber storms of pioneer days 
with the spirit of the ancient, who fiddled while Rome was 
burning — by all odds a merry and jovial one. There never 



322 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



were any limits to his generosity, nor his wiUingness to assist a 
friend, and from the unstinted employment of these traits he is 
known and affectionately admired by all. He was born in 
Kentucky. January 1, 1828; served in the Mexican War in 
1846; went to California in 1850, and settled in Wise County 




MR. JOE HENRY MARTIN, 



MRS. JOE HENRY MARTIN. 



in 1855. On February 6, 1801, in Jack County, Texas, he was 
married to Eliza Earhart, daughter of Capt. J. B. Earhart. 
They now reside at Chico, Wise County. Mrs. Martin is one of 
the splendid and beloved women remaining to us from pioneer 
times. 



BRIEF ALLUSIONS TO PROMINENT CITIZENS, BOTH 

OF THE PIONEER PERIOD AND THAT 

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING. 

It was planned to devote comprehensive sketches to the indi- 
viduals alluded to in the following brief paragraphs, but the 
foregoing material has so unexpectedly encroached on the lim- 
itations of space as to necessitate abridgement of the following 
matter. The subjects treated, however, are importantly inden- 
tified with the social and political history of the county, and 
are deserving of equal representation with all others. 



RICHARD T. RIEGER 

was a native of Missouri, born January 16, 1829. Married Jane 
Manilia Cagle (first wife) October 20, 1852. Mrs. Rieger died 

November 11, 1864. On 
November 29, 1865, Mr. 
Rieger married Annie P. 
Ball, who survived her hus- 
band many years, the date 
of her death being Septem- 
ber 12, 1906. Mr. Rieger 
died at the age of 58. He 
was prominent as the leader 
of one of the home militia 
companies, otherwise per- 
forming well his part in all 
the affairs of the times. 
Two children resulted from 
the first union, named Jim 
and Artemisa Rieger. Seven 
chikh-en were born to the 
second union, as follows: 
Manilia, married Hiram W. 
Smith; Sar^h L., married 
Tom H. Greer; Emily Ter- 
.(323) 




R. T. RIEGER. 



324 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

rell, married J. D. Robison; Richard A., married Laura Jarrell; 
Joseph died young; Jackson J., married Clayton Bennett; OlHe 
M. married Austin Golden. 



RUFUS LINDLY 



has been a citizen of Wise County since 18G1, coming here that 
year with his step-father, B. W. Millholland. The latter settled 
the Carlo Ball place 1| miles north of Decatur. From 1868 to 
1872 Mr. Lindly lived in the San Antonio section of the State, 
but was forced to return to Wise County on account of Indian 
troubles. He was married January 24, 1886, to Virginia Gate, 
daughter of David Gate, born and raised at Grapevine, Tarrant 
County. One child, a daughter, Miss Grace, has been born to 
them. Mr, Lindly is a kindly, genial gentleman, and the pop- 
ular keejjer of the City Hotel, Decatur. 



JOHN W. PRUNTY 

was born Mj^rch 6, 1833, in Henry County, Virginia; came to 
Wise County in 1859, and bought the original Tom McCarrol 
pre-emption, near Aurora, on Blue creek. Mr. Prunty was 
married the first time to Mary Anthony, by whom he had 
seven children, viz.: Thomas W., -married D'Etta Fullerton; 
Sudie, married W. L. Neel; Mattie, died in youth; Modena, 
married D. C. Greer; John V., married Minnie Dixon; the latter 
is Dr. John V. Prunty, a prominent practicing dentist at De- 
catur; Ben, married Fannie Gill; R. H., married Annie Pybas. 
Mr. Prunty was married the second time to Mrs. Louisa A. 
Oldham, originally of Virginia, but siibsequently of El Reno, 
Oklahoma. 



JAMES C. RUCKER 

has seen Texas territory in its pioneer state throughout the ex- 
tent of the frontier, from Red river to San Antonio. He is, 
besides, a Mexican War veteran, having volunteei'ed from Ten- 
nessee, in 1847. For six months of the Civil strife he was a 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



325 



Confederate soldier, then was transferred to the frontier pro- 
tection guard. He was born in McMinn County, Tennessee, 
August 30, 1830, the son of Mordica Rucker; came to Texas in 
1850, and to Wise County in 1855. September 8, 1849, he first 
married \^irginia McDonald, in McMinn County, Tennessee, to 
which union the following children were born: Joseph L. 
Rucker, born in Smith County, Texas, November 11, 1850, de- 
ceased; Mary Alice, married James Fullerton; William Hamil- 
ton and Sophie. Mr. Rucker permanently located in the Sand 
Hill community in 1862 ; his first wife having died he re-mar- 
ried Christian Slater, of Wise County. To them have been 
born Laura Bell, married Jack Bavouset, Dallas, Texas; 
Ada, married Mack Dickson, Dawson, Texas; Fannie, married 
Montville Newcomer, Bandero County; May, married Capt. 
H. E. Brady, Wise County. 




MRS. D. D. SHIREY. 
"Aunt Polly". 



MRS. M. A. SHIREY, 

(Aunt Polly) was born in South 
Carolina, in 1819. Settled in Wise 
County with her husband in 1854. 
She was and is noted for her old- 
fashioned Southern hospitality, and 
loves to tell of feeding at her ''re- 
volving table" such guests as Sena- 
tor Robert Tombs, of Georgia; 
(Jovcrnor Throckmorton, General 
John R. Baylor and Judge Everts. 
She still lives at her comfortable 
home at Audabon, loved and hon- 
ored bv all who know her. 



320 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 




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BIOGRAPHICAL. 



327 



JOHN T. WAGGONER 

was bom in Cole County, Missouri, February 7, 1831. Came 
with his parents to Red River. County, in fall of 1838, living 
there and in Hopkins County eighteen years. Came to Wise 
County in 1854, settling two miles northwest of Decatur. 
After occupying other locations, Mr. Waggoner . emigrated to 
Denton County, staying nine years, but returned to Wise 
County in October, 1876. He did good service for the lost cause 
in Hopp's Regiment, bore his part well in all pioneer difficul- 
ties and obstacles, and raised a large family to perpetuate 
his name. His death occurred in recent years. 



CHARLES AND MRS. PERRIN. 

The wi'iter is pleased to present a photograph of those worthy, 
old-time citizens, Uncle Charles and Mrs. Perrin, who became 




MR. CHAS. PERRIN. 



MRS. CHAS. PERRIN. 



328 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY, 



residents of Wise Comity in 1858. Uncle Charles died Decem- 
ber 8, 1906, but is survived by his wife, now 77 years of age. 
Ten children were born to them; have grown to adult age and 
now reside in Oklahoma and Texas, the two most familiarly 
known in Wise Countv being Ab. and Miss Mattie Perrin. 



WILLIAM C. Wh]ATHERBY. 

Considerable mention of Mr. Weatherby has been made in 
previous chapters. It now remains to cite the essential, brief 

facts of history. He was 



born November 6, 1834, in 
Putnam County, Georgia; 
came with his parents to 
Rush County at ten years of 
age, and to Wise County in 
1856. In 1857 or 1858 he 
was married to Mai'garet 
Jane Holden, and has raised 
the following children: 
Clarinda Jane, Sarah Eliza- 
beth, James Thomas, Georgia 
Ann, WilHam Minor, Maud 
Cordelia, Charles Elmore. 
Mrs. Weatherby died De- 
ceber 2, 1896. 'Mr. Weath- 
erby, in his old age, is com- 
fortably surrounded on his 
many acres on Denton creek, 
in the Greenwood commun- 
ity. Uncle Bill, as he was 
familliarly known, was one 
of the most gallant rangers and frontiersmen of this section ; he 
also aided in the surveying of the boundary line of Wise County, 
killing upwards of fifty deer on the route around. 




WM. C. WI':.\THERBY. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



329 



ELIJAH T. McDANIEL 

came originally from Franklin County, Tennessee, to Wise 
County, early in March, 1855. In Dallas County, Arkansas, he 
married Asmoth Trammel, and to them five children were born, 
viz.: John, Wiley, Granville, Mary Ann and Cordelia, the births 
of the three remaining ones occurring in Wise County. The 
names of the latter are Alfred, Isabel and Eliza Jane. Mrs. 
McDaniel survives her husband, being aged now eighty years. 
She lives with her son, Wiley McDaniel, near Greenwood, this 
county. No two remaining pioneer citizens are better known 
than John and Wiley McDaniel. Both are comfortably located 
on rich farms in North Wise County, and both have raised 
large families. They are two foremost citizens of their com- 
munities. 



CAMPBELL BURNS 
BEARD 

came to Decatur in the early 
days of the town's rush and 
growth, an inspiring youth in 
his last years of minority. 
From youth to manhood, and 
on past the meridian, his life 
has been bound up with that 
of his town, one of the inter- 
esting characters of the 
place. 

In January, 1873, Mr. Beard 
accepted the advice of Horace 
Greeley and left Charlotte, 
N.C., for the West. He was 
then 19 years of age, and for 
two years had been a shipping 
clerk in a large wholesale 
house at Charlotte. He 




C. B. BEARD. 



330 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

landed at Galveston with no definite destination in view, and 
there met Charles D. Gates, of Decatur, who was in Galves- 
ton to buy goods. Mr. Beard came overland home with Mr. 
Gates and entered the latter's store, remaining three years as 
clerk. He then entered the grocery business for himself. The 
profits for five years, and finally the capital, was consumed by 
an enemy which victimized him by its dazzling smile and 
refreshing draught, and he sought relief in the H. Great- 
house & Co. bank. Until 1883 he remained here and with the 
bank's successor, the First National Bank, as book-keeper, 
when he again entered the grocery business. His old enemy 
was still his friend and his business was finally strangled. Mr. 
Beard was next engaged in the real estate business, fol- 
lowing which he acted as book-keeper for the Mississippi store, 
and then became a book-keeper again in the First National 
Bank. About this time it dawned on him that he was 
about to be bound and gagged by his old enemy and he 
cut the tie, took a new lease on life and new hope for the 
future and returned to fresh, vigorous and temperate life. He 
remained with the bank until 1904, when he resigned to enter 
the grocery business. Mr. Beard is peculiarly adapted to the 
latter business and is successful. He has a fine sense of dis- 
crimination, which enables him to select only the best quality 
of goods which can be obtained and sold at reasonable prices, 
and his store has become one of the popular institutions of the 
town. 

Mr. Beard is the son of James B. Beard, a life-long merchant 
of North Carolina, a Democratic office-holder under Cleveland 's 
and Arthur's administrations, and an Episcopalian in faith. His 
mother was,, before her marriage, Mary Campbell Bryce, 
daughter of Peter Bryce, a Scotsman, and cotton factor of 
Columbia, S. C. His marriage occurred September 27, 1876, 
when he took as his bride Ella Greathouse, the only daughter of 
the late Col. Henry Greathouse, of Decatur. Mrs. Beard was born 
at Yreka, Calf., February 21, 1859, and came to Decatur with 
her father at the age of 12. The union resulted in six children, 
as follows: Nellie, wife of Mayor Will A. Miller, Jr., Amarillo, 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



331 



Texas; James Burns, of Federick, Ok.; William H., with father 
in the firm; Harry L., Horace B. and Campbell B. 



DR. J. A. EMBRY AND EARLY SCHOOL. 

In connection with this sketch is the reproduction of a photo- 
graph representing a group of students of an early school taught 




FORMER PUPILS OF DR. J. A. EMBRY S SCHOOL. 

First Row, Right to Left: Mrs. George Neilson, Mrs. R. H. Beall, 
Dr. John A. Embry, Mrs. L. Renshaw. 
Second Row: Mrs. S. A. Lillard, Mrs. C. B. Beard, Mrs. J. W. Patterson, 
Mrs. C. A. Saunders, Mrs. J. R. Davenport, Miss Mattie Perrin. 



in Decatur by Dr. John A. Embry, who, himself, is a subject 
in the picture. Drs. John and Jim Embry came to Wise County 
from Calhoun County, Miss., the place of their birth, in 187L 
Dr. John Embry taught numerous early schools in Decatur,- and 
from 1879 until 1882 conducted the large school in the building 



332 



PIONEER HISTORY "OF WISE COUNTY. 



which stood on the lot where the present Methodist Church is 
located. The acconnpanying picture group, representing some 
of the foremost citizens of Decatur, was made from students 
of the late school, who hold in affectionate esteem their kind, 
patient and efficient former instructor. Dr. Embry graduated 
from the Medical University of St. Louis in 1881, and for a 
quarter of a century has been a foremost physician of this sec- 
tion. In adtlition thereto he has been a friend to humanity 
and a high-minded, philanthropic citizen — -charitable to all and 
loved b}^ all. 



C. C. LEONARD. 

C. C. Leonard, an old time citizen of the county, and at 
present living in the vicinit.}" of Rhome, was born in old Tisho- 
mingo County, Mississippi, 
June 24, 1837, but spent the 
early years of his life in 
Marshall County, Tennessee, 
to which section his parents 
removed. When Mr. Leon- 
ard was fifteen years of age 
his parents again moved to 
Jackson County, Arkansas, 
where, December 18, 1856, 
the subject of our sketch 
was married to Mary A- 
Rags dale, of Jackson 
County. Mr. Leonard came 
to \Vis(^ County in the spring 
of 18()() and located where 
the town of Boyd now 
stands. His beloved wife 
died July 7, 1801, and the 
next spring Mr. Leonard 
entered the Confederate 
army, joining B, P. Earps 




C. C. LKONAHD. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 333 

Co. E., with which he was assigned to the 23r(l Texas Cavahy, 
Gould's Regiment. He was made Orderly Sergeant of the com- 
pany, remaining in service three yearsand one month, and 
engaged in campaigns in Louisiana and Texas. After the close 
of the war, August 12, 1866, Mr. Leonard was married to Mary 
J. Lewis, of Wise County, and in 1868 settled the place on 
which he now lives. He is one of the county's loyal and 
conservative citizens, and has taken part in all forward move- 
ments. For fifteen consecutive years he acted as Justice of 
the Peace of his precinct and as tax assessor ; he also served ably 
as a county commissioner in 1891 and 1892. Mr. and Mrs. 
Leonard's children are as follows; Mary J. Pinkard, by the 
first wife, lives with her parents; W. J. Leonard, Rhome; S. L., 
lives at Bowie; Laura, married to Harry Moore, Lampasas; 
Susie, married to Homer Watkins, Rhome; Allie, married to 
J. G. Robison, near Rhome; Emma, married to A. N. Rives, 
Rhome ; Kate, Ella, Ora and Bob at home. 



M. W. SHOEMAKER. 

Li the early days of Decatur's history, there was much activity 
upon the part of her leading citizens in the promotion of enter- 
prises which contemplated the town's future growth and pros- 
perity, and no movement of this kind was ever carried to success- 
ful culmination without Milton W. Shoemaker's personal force 
being identified with it. Mr. Shoemaker was one of the several 
sons of Capt. A. H. Shoemaker, who came with his family from 
Missouri to Ohver Creek, Wise County, in 1859, and to Decatur 
in 1867. M. W. Shoemaker was born in Missouri, July 1, 1845, 
and had just passed his majority when his father located in the 
Wise County capital. He came to Decatur jyst at the time 
when the village was recovering from the prostrations of civil 
war, and when enterprising, original men were needed to restore 
the country to normal conditions. From thence to the date of 
his death he was a leading spirit in every undertaking that 
involved the town and country's best interest. On December 
21, 1871, Mr. Shoemaker was married to Miss Mollie Pickett, 



334 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 






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BIOGRAPHICAL. 335 

daughter of Col. and Mrs. G. B. Pickett, whose birth occurred in 
Red River County, Texas, January 10, 1854, and who, coming to 
Wise County at a very early date, has spent the most of her life 
here as one of the community's admired and respected citizens. 
Four children were born to the union, the eldest being Hardie, 
the second Barnie, and Warren and DoUie. The death of the 
last occurred at the age of three, while the sad demise of Warren 
is a truly deplorable event of recent date. Mr. and Mrs. Shoe- 
maker belong to that small minority of our present citizenship 
who have seen Decatur and Wise County at their worst and best. 



LOUIS PAVILLARD, 
our old and esteemed French pioneer, was born in Canton 
Deverd, Switzerland, Europe, in January, 1832. This village is 
located near the town of Louisanne, the place where Gibbon, 
the famous historian, spent his studious years before writing the 
immortal history of the ''DecHne and Fall of Rome." Louis 
Pavillard spent six years in the city of Paris before coming to 
America, his occupation being that of a servitor of a printer's 
club. He adventured into Wise County in 1859, after having 
toured the Western States. He was twice married; first, to 
Jane Harris, upon whose death to Elizabeth Broadstreet. Uncle 
Louis is well supplied with material means, lives in the Anne- 
ville community, where he has raised nine children. 



DR. MARTIN CADDELL 
is the son of Wm. Caddell, who married Diana Pittman, in 
Kentucky. He was born in Scotland County, Mo., January 9, 
1834. Came with his family to Lamar County, Texas, first, and 
at the age of 23 to Wise County, in the year 1856. Dr. 
Caddell settled on Black Creek, and later moved to Greenwood, 
where after a course of study he began the practice of medicine. 
Harmon Caddell, a Well-known Wise County citizen, recently 
deceased, came to Dr. Caddell in 1858, remaining until married. 
In 1855 Dr. Caddell married Martha Strickland in Canton, 
Texas, whom he now survives. Nine children were born to the 
union as follows: Elias, Dora, Ellen, Jim, Florence, Ida, Delia, 
Mart, Lilhe.— 



336 



pioxep:r history of wise county. 




CAPT. TOM L. STANFIELD — A PIONEER CITIZEN 

OF WISE COUNTY NOW OF TERRELL, 

TEXAS. 



JOHN S. GILILLAND 

came into Wise County in what may be defined as the last year 
of the pioneer period, which was 1874, the year of the Huff 
family massacre by the Indians. He came to Decatur from Ar- 
kansas, but lived formerly in Collin County, Texas, to which 
county he came from Missouri, the state of his birth. He was 
born at Old Bailey's landing, on the Mississippi river, the place 
then being called Lincoln, the date being January 31, 1845. 
His father, A. J. Gililland, was a blacksmith, and was twice 
married, having four children by each union. John S. was the 
second son of the first group. His father came to Collin County 
in 1853, locating on David's Ridge, west of McKinney, near the 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 337 

Dallas and Preston roads. In 1867, at the age of 10, John S. en- 
listed in Co. D., 6th Texas cavalry, afterwards Ross' regiment, the 
first volunteer organization to leave Collin County. Later on he 
was exempted from service on account of his youth, but returned 
to Collin County and rejoined Throckmorton's company. He then 
participated in campaigns in Arkansas and Louisiana. In June, 
1863, he was taken prisoner at Butler, La., and confined at New 
Orleans for eight months, when he escajjed under the most 
thrilling and dramatic circumstances. He rejoined his company 
the day following the Pleasant Hill fight in Louisiana. He then 
obtained a furlough and came home. His father had in the 
meantime moved to Grayson County. Mi-. Gililland then spent 
eight years in Arkansas, in Washington County, in which State 
he married Jane Kinnebrough in February, 18()6. In 1874 he 
came to Decatur, locating on the eastern edge of town, and two 
years later opened a blacksmith and woodworking shop, which 
occupation he has followed continuously and successfully since. 
At an early period he served Decatur a term or two as city 
marshall. He is a quiet, unpretentious gentleman, a conscien- 
tious and persistent workman, and a first-class citizen, being 
admired and respected by all. Mr. and Mrs. Gililland have 
reared a bright, healthy family of children, now all married 
and prosperous, named as follows: Jim, the oldest son, of Com- 
manche County, Ok.; Aimer, of Roan's Prairie, Texas; Porter, 
La Grange, Texas; Minnie, wife of Conductor White, C. R. I. 
& P. Ry.; Walter, associated with his father at Decatur; Roy, 
of Fort Worth. 



JUDGE W. H. BULLOCK, 

while not precisely a pioneer of Wise County, has the honor of 
being the first white child born in the city of Sherman, Gray- 
son county, Texas. This occurred November 11, 1850, the date 
being co-incidental with the establishment of Sherman as a town 
by Dr. R. L. Bullock, who was Judge Bullock's father. Judge 
Bullock's mother was a McCrory, of a Mississippi family, her 

22 



338 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 




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BIOGRAPHICAL. 339 

name being Elizabeth. The marriage of Dr. R. L. Bullock and 
Elizabeth McCrory occurred at Bonham, Texas, in 1848. 
Judge Bullock spent his boyhood and early youth at Sherman. 
In 1858 he visited the State of Missouri, remaining until 1861. 
In 1860-61 he attended school at Harrisonville; the master of 
the school being the present U. S. Senator Steven B. Elkins, of 
West Virginia. The noted outlaws, the Younger boys, attended 
the school at the same time. Judge Bullock came back to 
Texas and began to read law in the office of Throckmorton and 
Brown, the first being Governor Throckmorton and the latter 
T. J. Brown, Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas. 

Judge Bullock came to Wise County April 10, 1875, and 
has been one of the foremost practicing attorneys and judiciaries 
of this section since that time. He served six years as county 
judge, and has been several times selected as special district 
judge in the absence of the regular official. He was married 
September 8, 1879, toSallie J. Renshaw, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. 
Wm. Renshaw, who has borne him nine children, six of whom 
are living, named as follows: Randolph, at Fort Worth; Wil- 
liam, Eugene, Irene, Margaret and Lucille, at home. 



ALBERT DEVEREUX, 

son of Julian S. Devcreux, who settled in Montgomery county 
on entering the Lone Star State a young man, was born in 
Rusk county, Texas, December 15, 1848. Mr. Devereux's life 
was a rural one until he came to Wise County. He attended 
McKenzie College, near Clarksville, Texas, and was also a stu- 
dent of Gilmer High School. It was under the tutelage of Mor- 
gan H. Looney that he acquired the principles of surveying, 
which have proven so valuable to him in his life's work. Mr. 
Devereux has occuj^ied the most of his time since coming 
to Texas as a locater and dealer in Texas lands, beginning 
with a small tract which he bought on Deep creek for a 
home when he first came to Wise county. On February 11, 
1869, before he had reached his majority, he was married to 
Miss EUzabeth A. Stamps, of Rusk county. From 1877 to 1881 



340 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY 



Mr. Devereux was county surveyor of Wise county and proved 
himself an efficient officer and reliable engineer. In 1900 he was 
again elected to the office of surveyor and has been twice re- 




A. DEVEREUX. 



elected to the same position. Mr. Devereux is not only an ideal 
citizen and an excellent officer, but he is well known as a Dem- 
ocrat and a member of the Masonic fi-aternity. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



341 




MR. AND MRS. STEVENS. 



A. S. BADGER 
was born in Wabash County, Indiana, July 2, 1849, the son of 
Reason Badger, a farmer of the county. In search of fresh op- 
portunities Mr. Badger came to Wise County in the year 1870, 
being accompanied by four other young men, who were seek- 
ing their fortunes in the Southwest. Mr. Badger located on 
Deep creek, and there became acquainted with Eliza J. Woody, 
daughter of Samuel Woody, to whom he was married in April, 
1872. Mr. Badger now lives about three miles north of De- 
catur on a good farm, and surrounded by the comforts of life. 
He is a progressive, honest and intelligent citizen, and esteemed 
highly by all who kiK)w him. His children are: Annie, mar- 
ried Charles Myers, Decatur; Ollie married Charles Rol- 
lins, Pecos County, Texas; Mildred, married Leonard Bre- 
zeal; Emma, married J. K. Stewart, California; Willie, wife 
of Carlo Ball, Jr., Ochiltree, Texas; Alvin, Reta, Marion, Jessie, 
Leo and Pearl. 



342 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COrXTY. 




BIOGRAPHICAL. 343 



JAMES W. B. REYNOLDS 

settled on Garrett's Creek, southwest Wise County, in 1857. 
He was a Tennesseean by birth; his home in Wise County was 
situated near what is known as "Tyler Water" or Draco. 
Among his neighbors were the Kincannons, Perkins, Henry 
Wood and others. He and his family, consisting of a wife and 
three children, whose names were F. W., Sylvester and Mat 
A. J. Reynolds, (the latter now the wife of D. P. Newsome, of 
Boonville), were well satisfied until the Civil War commenced, 
w^hen, like hundreds of brave men, the father enlisted in the 
service of his adopted State, leaving his family in charge of the 
oldest boy. The boy Sylvester was soon after wounded by the 
Indians, who caught him absent from home on a mission for 
the family. The family then escaped to Parker County and re- 
mained until the end of danger. It has been said of Mr. Rey- 
nolds that he was one of nature's noblemen, brave and gen- 
erous to a fault, and constantly exerted himself to elevate 
the life around him, and the life of the county in general. 



THE WISE COUNTY OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 

The above association w^as organized July 27, 1904, and is 
composed of the living citizens of the pioneer period of the 
county's existence, together with their descendants. The chief 
purpose has been to perpetuate old associations, friendships 
and traditions, and to advance the claims of the pioneer people 
and times to modern recognition. To accomplish these results 
annual reunions of the old elements are held, and the present 
volume has been prepared and circulated. A movement has 
also been started to erect a monument to the memoiy and 
services of Capt. George W. Stevens, a brave defender of Wise 
County during the Indian troubles. The following officers now 
have executive charge of the affairs of the Old Settlers' 
Association : 



344 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 




EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WISE COLXTY OLD SETTLERS ASSOCIATK )X. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



345 




EXECUTivK committep: wise county old settlers association. 



346 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



John H. Wallace, President. 

Cliff. D. Gates, Secretary. 

W. J. Mann, Sergeant-at-Arms. 

John Wasson, Assistant-Sergeant-at-Arms. 



Executive Committee: 



John G. Gose, 
Henry L. Ward, 
Dennis Paschall, 
C. V. Terrell, 



T. Perrin, 
Add Renshaw, 
T. L. Ball, 
C. A. Cartwright. 



. T. J. GARY. 

No such original biographical sketch was ever prepared as that 
which the old veteran of pioneer days, Thos. J. Gary, of south 

Wise County, has handed 
in for present uses. It is 
usually the custom to over- 
haul and re-write such 
matter, -. but so genuinely 
interesting is Mr. Gary's 
statements that they will 
be printed almost as they 
were received. Thos. J. 
Gary was born in Madison 
County, Mississippi, Oc- 
tober 2, 1835, but was 
principally raised in Car- 
roll County. He crossed 
the plains to California in 
1857, and came back to 
Wise County, Texas, March 
3, 1860. In 1862 he volun- 
teered in the Confederate 
service, serving in Waller's 
T. J. GARY. Battalion, General Tom 




BIOGRAPHICAL. . 347 

Green's Brigade, also lost many nights' sleep guarding his own 
and neighbors' stock from the Indians. 

Mr. Gary married at Birdville, Tarrant County, Texas, 
January 30, 1862, the maiden name of his wife being Sue Brown. 
Seven children were born to the union, four being raised to 
maturity. They are as follows: Marvel Gary, of Chico, Cali- 
fornia; Willie Gary, the youngest, lives with his parents; Louisa, 
married J. B. Massie, of Angelina County, Texas; Belle, married 
J. M. Scott, of Duncan, Oklahoma. Mr. Gary has kept account 
of the number of trips he has made to the county seat, which 
is eighty-eight, forty-four times being for jury service. Of him- 
self Mr. Gary says: " I have had as good a time as any man 
in Texas. I kept fifteen fine hounds and made the deer, fox 
and wolves skeedaddle. I lived through all the cattle-stealing 
and never was a bill found against me. The reason was I never 
stole any cattle, and I am proud of it. I surely can look any man 
in the eye and say ' I done it,' or ' I didn't do it.' I still keep 
my old Indian gun and old fiddle and still play 'Billy in the Low 
Ground.' I am living in my seventy-third year, and in good 
health, and can still knock the back-step. I have been a Master 
Mason in good standing over fifty years and an Odd Fellow nine 
or ten years." 

Surely Mr. Gary has lived a life that he can reflect on bravely 
as he has done in the above paragraph. He is one of Wise 
County's most loved pioneer citizens. 



JUDGE J. W. PATTERSON. 

From a farm boy in Trigg County, Kentucky, struggling to 
attain the rudiments of a legal education, to a governor's pos- 
sibility and sound judicial achievements in Texas, is the Ufe his- 
tory of Judge J. W. Patterson, who, for nearly five consecutive 
terms has been elected to the judgeship of the 43rd Judicial Dis- 
trict, comprising Wise, Jack and Parker Counties. 

Judge Patterson was born in Trigg County, Kentucky, No- 
vember 18, 1847. He attended the common schools of his 
community, and read legal books while he labored on the farm, 



348 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



He then went to Cadiz, his County town, and pursued studies 
and was admitted to the bar. In 1874, he struck out for him- 
self. So far every hck that had moukled him into the fashion 
of a man of strength and ability had been hammered by him- 
self, and in striking out for himself he was still exhibiting the 
characteristics of strength and independence that had distin- 
guish(Hl his upward struggle. He came to Gainesville, Texas , and 

stayed three months . He then 
came to Wise County, the date 
being July, 1874, and })itted 
his professional attainments 
against all opposing forces in 
the renewed struggle for suc- 
cess. Two years later, in 
1876, his ability and honesty 
were recognized in his elec- 
tion to the office of County 
Judge, he being the first offi- 
cial to bear that title. Be- 
ginning with 1878, he*- served 
two terms as County Attorney, 
upon the expiration of which 
he was sent to the 18th Texas 
Legislature as the representa- 
tive from Wise Count y . 
Judge Patterson then retired 
to private practice for several 
years, during which he was 
associated with the old law 
hrnis oF L()vc\i()y, Dickson & Patterson, and later Crane & 
Patterson. In 18S8 he was elevated to the District Judgeship, 
which he has filled with great distinction and honor to himself 
and district. 

Judge Patterson has achieved that success in life to which all 
men aspire. His course has been a gradual evolution of his 
powers and faculties from early manhood. Beginning in 
straightened and narrowed circumstances, he has, by self- 
endeavors, gradually broadened the horizon of his environments, 




JUDGE ,1. W. PATTERSON. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



349 



until he is free to exercise all the rights and privileges of unre- 
stricted manhood and citizenship, a condition that is synony- 
mous with deep and broad success. He has revealed himself 
as a man of honest, rugged strength, and as a judicial of absolute 
fairness and candor, which are the foundation ston(\s of his 
popularity with the people. This is one of the chief elements of 
his success, and one of the facts that accounts for his l^eing oft- 
mentioned as a fit man for the Governor's chair of Texas, or as 
a Congressional possibility. His attainments in life are worthy 
of the study and emulation of all apsiring youths. Judge 
Patterson was married November 24, 1881, to Miss Nannie 
Baker, and to the union six children have been born, named as 
follows: James Venor; Mozelle (now Mrs. W. C. Carver); 
Ernestine; Marie; Walker, and Anita. 



JACK BROWN. 



The following sketch of 
Jack Brown, an esteemed 
and venerated pioneer citi- 
zen, has been contributed by 
one who knew him well. 

''Elbert Jack Brown was 
born, August 16, 1835, in 
Elbert County , Georgia. 
He joined the Baptist 
Church at the age of eigh- 
teen, and remained a zeal- 
ous , consistent m ember 
until his death, which oc- 
curred, April 29, 1899. 
Fearless and uncompromis- 
ing in supporting what he 
deemed right, Mr. Brown en- 
tered the Confederate serv- 
ice in 1861, and there made 
a conspicuous record for 
bravery, but like a t r u e 




.JACK BROWN. 



350 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



patriot, accepted defeat and became a strong lover of the Union. 
At the time of his death he was captain of the Albert Sydney 
Johnson Camp of Confederate \^eterans. 

In his younger days Mr; Brown practised law, but during his 
residence in Texas devoted most of his time to farming and stock- 
raising. He moved to Texas in 1858, and spent the larger part 
of his life in Wise County on his farm east of Greenwood. Mr. 
Brown was married June 24th, 1874, to Purity C. Dailey, of 
Dallas County, and of this union there remain two children, 
Mary Fannie, the wife of E. L. Warren, of Greenwood, and 
Elbert Blanton, who was married, February 12, 1903, to Maud 
0. Best, of Wise County. 



P. F. LEWIS. 

Pleasant Franklin Lewis, third son of Robert and Sarah Lewis, 
is"a native of Marion County, Illinois, and according to his state- 
ment, "hit Wise County on a jennettc, August 17, 1855." This 
very early arrival makes Mr. Lewis one of the oldest of Wise 

County citizens. He came to 
Wise County with Dr. James 
Marshall, who began his 
(•(lucation, but home duties 
l)re vented satisfactory prog- 
ress. At the beginning of 
the war Mr. Lewis joined Co. 
E., 10th Texas Infantry, and 
s(Tved throughout the long 
civil strife. January 1 1 , 1863, 
he was captured, in associa- 
tion with others, and confin- 
ed for two months at Camp 
Douglass, Illinois, and then 
exchanged and sent to the 
Southeastern States. Sub- 
sequently he was twice 
p. F. LEWIS. ■ wounded at Chickamauga 




BIOGRAPHICAL. 351 

where latterly he was elected Second Sergeant of the Com- 
pany. Mr. Lewis was again wounded at New Hope, but came 
out in command of the Company in that fight. He was cap- 
tured again near Atlanta in July, where one of his captors told 
him that he fought well but on the wrong side. He was impris- 
oned at Camp Chase, Ohio, and released from there, June 11, 
1865, and reached home on Hog Branch, Wise County, July 9. Mr. 
Lewis was married to Miss Hannah E. Kidd, of Dallas County, 
in July 1866. He recalls the following persons to have been 
living in South Wise County when he came: Mr. Moss; J. J. 
Hudson; Rev. Moffett; L. D. Burnett; G. W. Knight, Sr.; Ben. 
and Pleas. Haney; Wm. Oates; Giles McKey; Mr. Gardner; John 
and Bill McClennan; John Sellars; Mr. Coacoe; James Mann; 
Ben Arp; Doc. Brooks; Jack Hart; Mr. Lawley; Anderson Smith. 
Mr. Lewis at present lives in the neighborhood of New Ark, 
is a frequent contributor to the press, is loyal to the old Confeder- 
ates and the old settlers, and a strong advocate of good county 
roads. Moreover he was among the first to suggest the need of 
a pioneer history of Wise County. 



J. L. CRAWFORD. 

The subject of this sketch is one of the sterling representa- 
tives of Bridgeport commercial life, and a leading and influential 
force in all the affairs of the farmers of his connnunity. He was 
born in East Tennessee, July 7, 1849, and settled in the timber 
south of Bridgeport, Wise County, January 10, 1877, where he 
opened up a farm. From the very start Mr. Crawford began 
to demonstrate a strong public-spirited nature. Seeing the need 
of church instrumentalities in his community, he and five others 
set about to build a church house. Rev. Gatis, a Methodist 
divine, then preached the first sermon. But at present, on the 
spot where the old church stood, a beautiful new building now 
stands, and a thriving community known as Pleasant Grove 
surrounds it. Mr. Crawford was soon interested in other public 
affairs, and has come to be identified with every public enter- 
prise that has marked the development of Wise County. It 



352 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



is a source of satisfaction to him to sco the beautiful homes, the 
raih'oads, the thriving towns, churches, schools, rural mail ser- 
vice and telephones in most every home, and he is agreeably 
surprised that the transformation has been brought about in 
such short time. 

When a young man Mr. Crawford joined the Democratic 
party, believing that the best reforms in government could be 
secured through the enac- 
tion of democratic measures 
and i^rinciples. He cast his 
first vote for B. Gratz Brown 
for Governor of Missouri, 
and has always been active 
in politics. He has been 
honored by his party. He 
has acted as County Com- 
missioner, served as post- 
master under President 
Cleveland, and represented 
Wise County in the 25th 
and 2()th Legislatures. 
While serving in the latter 
capacity he was the author 
of some important bills, and 
as chairman of the Mining 
and Minerals Connnittee, 
wrote the first l)ill intro- 
duced in a Texas Legisla- 
ture looking to the protec- 
tion and safety of coal miners. Mr. Crawford is a member of the 
Baptist Church, and is identified with the Masonic, Odd Fellows 
and W. (). W. lodges, and is a leading factor in the Farmers' 
Union organization of Wise County. He has lately acquired a 
comfortable home in Bridgei)ort, and expects to spend the 
remainder of his days in helloing to keep Wise County up to 
her present state of high civilization. When the summons comes 
to pass to an eternal existences he ex})ects to strike hands with 
many of the old settlers of Wise County, and to know them 




.1. L. CHAWFOHI). 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 353 

from the scars inflicted as incidents of the conflict and develop- 
ment of a frontier country. 



It has been suggested that a few of the faithful and respect- 
able darkies of the earl/ period should have the essential facts 
of their lives represented here. Some of them were true to 
their pioneer masters and employers, and came to be regarded 
with a deep and friendly interest. 



RANDOLP VEASEY, 

known better as "Ran," ''Old Ran," and ''Uncle Ran." was 
perhaps the best known colored citizen of the times, a popu- 
larity due to his efficiency as a fiddler of inspiring dance music, 
and faithfulness as a slave and citizen. He places the date of 
his birth in 1827, July 10th, in Merriweather County, Georgia. 
He came to Drew County, Arkansas, as a young man; entered 
the Civil War with his master, and later in the conflict became 
body-guard to General Cabell. At the end of the war he came 
to O'Neal's Station, Montague County, with his white friends, 
and finally gravitated into Wise County, where he remains a 
respected old citizen. 



TOM AND "AUNT" JANIE JOHNSON 

were two other kind and respectable colored characters of this 
period. Janie Crutchfield was born the first colored child in 
Colin County, in 1845. She was brought to Wise County by 
the Crutchfielcls in 1856, in which family she served as house 
girl. In 1865 she was married to Tom Johnson. The latter 
was born in Independence, Missouri, in 1843. Came to Wise 
County during the war and was employed by Major Holmes, 

23 



354 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY 





TOM JOHNSON. 



JANIE JOHNSON. 



where he'^lived until he married and bought a place. He died a 
respectable colored citizen December 31, 1891, leaving an estate 
valued at $5,000 to his wife. 



SECTION FIVE. 



MO'DERN WISE COUNTY. 



Wise County, from Texas Almanac, 1904. 

The area of Wise County is 9,000 square miles. The county 
is in the second tier south of Red river, lying at the foot of 
the Panhandle of Texas. Decatur, the county seat, is 40 miles 
northwest of Fort Worth, on the Fort Worth & Denver City 
Railway, having a population of about 2,000. 

Population of county in 1900, 27,116. Property assessment 
1907, $9,008,205. Two-thirds of the area of this county is occupied 
with a belt of wood land known as the Upper Cross timbers, con- 
sisting of several varieties of oak, including post, pin, burr, water 
and red oak, while along the streams that penetrate this woodland 
region there is usually a large growth of black walnut, pecan, 
cotton-wood and elm of the several kinds, and on the uplands 
grow the low, heavy-topped post oak and blackjack. The 
general elevation is about 1,250 feet above the sea level, and 
the surface is for the most part undulating, but there are con- 
siderable areas of broken and hilly country. The ampleness of 
the elevation and the purity of the drinking water combine to 
produce a gratifying condition of general good health throughout 
all the seasons. Water is found in abundance at depths ranging 
from 50 to 150 feet, with possibilities for obtaining it along the 
creek valleys at a depth of 25 or 30 feet. Rainfall for several 
years has averaged 29.47 inches. The prairie soils in the east- 
ern third are given over to stock farming and grain growing, 
the soil being in most part a tenacious black waxy, esteemed 
alike for its durability, fertility and drouth-resisting properties. 
The wheat crop produced on this black soil ranges from 15 
to 25 bushels, oats 40 to 100 bushels. It is also productive of 
corn and cotton, but is inferior in this respect to the sandy 
soils of the western part of the county. In the western part 
the different varities of sandy land present admirable opportu- 

(355) 



356 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



nities for the diversification of crops. The dark brownish allu- 
vium of the creek valleys compares favorably with the black 
lands for wheat and oats, while the lighter sands of the uplands 
is greatly productive of all the staple crops of Texas, which 




PRESENT WISE COl NTV COURTHOUSE 



Whose exterior walls are built of red granite; the entire building cast $140,000.00. 
stands in the center of the public s(iuare at Decatur and admittedly is one 
of the hatidsoiuest uichitectuiul ediliccs in the State. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



357 



are corn, cotton, wheat, oats, rye, barley, sorghum, Kaffir corn, 
milo maize and melons, fruits and vegetables in wonderful 
abundance. There is no question about the sandy clay sub- 
soiled lands of this county being well adapted to the growing of 
the finest varieties and best qualities of the staple fruits that 
are grown in Texas. Stock farming, especially hog raising, is 
coming into prominence. The pasture lands of the eastern 
section range in price from $G to $8 per acre. These lands 
are grass-covered hills, unfit for farming. • Well improved 
lands in the sandy timbered section are selling for Si 2.50 to 
$25 per acre, and 
S20 to $40 prevails 
for the best black 
lands of the prairie. 
During the winter, 
wheat and oat fields 
provide abundant 
grazing, and in 
many instances 
ver}^ little of other 
kinds of food is re- 
quired. The grow- 
ing of alfalfa has 
been experimented 
with and found to 
flourish, especially 
on the creek bot- 
tom soils. The 

county has two lines of railways, the Fort Worth & Denver 
City and the Chicago, Rock Island & Gulf, both passing 
diagonally across the county from southeast to northwest. 
Upon both lines are found the flourishing little towns of 
the county, which are Decatur, Bridgeport, Alvord, Chico, 
Boyd, Rhome, Paradise, Park Springs and Newark. Inland 
towns and villages are Greenwood, Pella, Audubon, Crafton, 
Willowpoint, Boonville, Cottondale, Slidell, Garvin, Dan and 
Brumlow, situated in populous sections of the county. 
Building stone of brown and gray sandstone, and blue and 




SECOND COURTHOUSE OF WISE COUNTY 

Built in 1883, .-it cost of $50,000; burned on the 

night of .Tanunry 12, 1895. It stood on the 

Northwest Corner of the Public Square. 



358 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



gray limestone exists in great quantities and of superior quality. 
A coal bed has been developed at Bridgeport and the coal is 
in use as fuel, the output being consumed by the Rock Island 
railway and the industrial plants in Oklahoma. These beds 
are very extensive and the lay of the stratum, as far as has 
been opened, indicates unusual facilities for taking out the 
coal. The stratum is found at a depth of 60 feet. At Decatur 
is located the Decatur Baptist College for boys and girls. This 




STREET SCENE IN DECATUR DURING COTTON SEASON. 

college is connected with the Baylor schools of Texas. Good 
schools are also found at Paradise, Boyd, Bridgeport, Chico, 
Greenwood and Alvord. The scholastic population is about 
6,500, composed almost entirely of whites. — Cliff D. Cates, 
Decatur. 



PROMINENT CITIZENS OF THE PRESENT. 

The following few pages will be devoted to brief sketches of 
some of the prominent citizens of present day Wise County. 



MODERN WISE COUNTY. 359 

The personalities which will be alluded to are generally well- 
known throughout the county, but it will be interesting and 
instructive to note some of the essential facts and character- 
istics of their lives. The fact of their descriptive presence here 
is indicative of their high standing in the respective communi- 
ties of their adoption, for in this department it would not have 
been consistent with the aims of this book to deal with any 
but the best of the elements of our citizenship. These are men 
who are in part responsible for the latter growth and prosperity 
of Wise County. In their separate fields of labor they have 
performed their part well. On the enduring foundation of 
county life laid by the Pioneers they have assisted to build a 
beautiful and symmetrical superstructure which is the pride 
and glory of all true citizens of the county. 



A. D. ROGERS. 



There is striking analogy between a storm of wind and rain 
which clears the atmosphere of impurities and a rugged ele- 
mental man, endowed with independent thought and action, 
who drives before him that indifference and apathy which is so 
dangerous to the political life of the country. A. D. Rogers is 
an independent force in the political and industrial life of Wise 
County. He is valuable because he keeps men 's minds stirred 
to action, to thought along the lines of their political and in- 
dustrial salvation. 

Mr. Rogers attacks that illiteracy, sloth and negligence which 
goes to make undesirable citizenship. In every instance his 
views are not harmonious with those of the people, the common 
people, among whom he labors for their betterment, which is 
a testimonial to the sincerity of his attitudes. But along fun- 
damental and general lines Mr. Rogers' sympathies are with the 
entire people, and he is constantly engaged in a battle for the 
elevation of the social, political and industrial interests of the 
constituency among which he delights to live. 

There is a picturesque fearlessness about the man we have 
come to briefly study — a fearlessness that fascinates and 



360 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 




A. D. ROGERS. 



MODERN WISE COUNTY. 361 

attracts — a quality of magnetism that fixes our attention 
whether we will or no. It is that species of boldness that 
dares to stand in the brilliance of the lime-light, undaunted by 
criticism, hisses and jeers, and which draws forth the latent 
admirat on of every man for the attribute of human courage 
which every man does not possess. 

Modern political philosophy bristles with adjurations to all 
men to stand up openly and frankly for what is right in politics, 
religion and e very-day living; but mankind, as modernly con- 
stituted, is prone to balk in compliance with such precepts. 
This for numerous reasons. First, because mankind is inher- 
ently lazy; secondly, because it is naturally conservative, and, 
lastly, because of its extreme modesty and backwardness. Out 
of these promptings come the criticism and deriding of those 
bold characters who have listened to the small voice of con- 
science and struck out openly for a courageous voyage of the 
seas of public life. It is because of these promptings that 
the subject of our sketch has been criticised, but it is because of 
his possession of the courage of his convictions that he will con- 
tinue to churn the slovenly waters of our local politics that 
the cream of good things may finally crystalize on top. 

Mr. Rogers was born in Pontotoc County, Miss., March 12th, 
1866. His father was a Confederate soldier and died a short 
time prior to the birth of his son. His mother was Jennie 
Allen, of Georgia, who died when Mr. Rogers was six years old. 
Sixteen years of the latter's life was spent on a farm, and his 
few years of schooling were received in country institutions 
and at Lebanon, Tenn. His acuteness and knowledge of the 
world has been gained since by self endeavors. His young 
manhood was spent in various occupations, in clerkships at 
Louisville, Ky., and as a traveling salesman. On October, 1st, 
1889, Mr. Rogers was married to Miss Lila Stone, of Verona, 
Miss., a daughter of Rev. J. B. Stone, who for twenty years 
was Presiding Elder in the North Miss. M. E. Conference. 
Next followed a residence of some years at Jackson, Miss., 
where the cotton business employed Mr. Rogers' attention. In 
1894 he was on the eve of prospecting in the island of Cuba, 
when he was called to San Antonio, Texas, to engage in the 



362 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

insurance business. Later on lie was transferrred to Fort 
Worth and given a district managersiiip. His business occa- 
sionally called him to Decatur, and he begun to like the people 
and the town, and latterly the people of the county, which 
led to his casting his lot with them in January, 1896. For 
awhile he followed clerking and merchandising, but in 1898, 
after a remarkable race, he was elected County Treasurer, a 
position he continued to hold successfully and satisfactorily for 
four years. Of late years Mr. Rogers has traveled for the 
wholesale firm of Henry Sonneborn & Co. of Baltimore, from 
whom it is said he receives a large annual salary, and to whom 
he gives four months of the year. The remainder of the time 
Mr. Rogers devotes to his rather large property interests in 
Decatur and vicinity. He has an interesting family of seven 
children, named as follows: Christine, Eloise: Shelton, Mary, 
Corinne, Jess and A. D. Jr. 



BEN SHORT. 



In choosing her first county superintendent of instruction, 
Wise County, through her court of commissioners, selected a 
man who, by virtue of prior struggles and successes, had at- 
tained honorably to those qualifications necessary to the able 
and efficient conduct of the office. Detailed briefly, the succes- 
sive experiences in the career of Supt. Ben Short which have 
■equipped him highly for the arduous labors of his high office, are 
as follows: 

Born where Roanoke, Denton County, now stantls, June 27, 
1874 ; attended school there a few months; came to Chico, Wise 
County, with parents in fall of 1882, and attended school in the 
old stone building across the creek; next moved with parents 
to Oliver Creek, southeast of Decatur, and attended country 
schools at distances of three and one-half and five miles, work- 
ing on farm and ranch during vacation. Next entered Sam 
Hou-ton Normal College for two sessions, graduating in 1898, 
following which he attended Baylor University at Waco one 
term. His teaching career then conmienced at Grub Hill, where 



MODERN WISE COUNTY. 



363 



he remained two years, then a] year each at Sweetwater and 
Paradise followed. Mr. Short then succeeded to three years as 
principal of the Decatur High School, after which he was 
duly elected by the board of trustees as superintendent of 
this school, a position he retained two years and from which 
he succeeded to the place of county 
superintendent of public instruction. 
Superintendent Short has come up 
through the country schools ; he knows 
their needs, ambitions and qualifica- 
tions. He knows men, as he has met 
them in all relations as representa- 
tives and guardians of education. He 
knows, too, the requisites and needs 
of the larger educational institutions 
of the towns by virtue of his years 
of close identity with them. He is 
studious of all large matters of edu- 
cation, has never missed a county in- 
stitute or state association when health 

permitted attendance; is a man of high ideals and practical, 
thoughtful ability and is destined in the eyes of his closest 
observers and friends to perform hi*gh, meritorious service for 
the educational interests of the schools of Wise County, and 
to become, if he not already is, an able educational leader of 
the county. 




BEN SHORT. 



C. C. JONES. 

The face on this page is that of C. C. Jones, one of Wise 
County's foremost business men, and the organizer of the well- 
known and popular Jones Dry Goods Company establishments 
at Decatur and Bridgeport. Mr. Jones is a Southerner to the 
manner born, being the son of Eason Jones, planter, of 
Haywood County, Tennessee. He was born in Brownsville 
of the above county antl state, March 25, 1849, and received 
a preliminary training in merchandising in his home town in 



364 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



the days of his youth. In certain other ways, notably as the 
proprietor of a grocery store for ten years and as a travehng 
salesman, Mr. Jones gained the knowledge and experience 
that has contributed to his modern success as a merchant. At 
the age of twenty-three he married Miss Anna Turner, daughter 
of John W. Turner, planter, of Denmark, Tennessee, who 
was killed as a Confederate soldier while with General Forrest. 

Mr. Jones came straight to 
Wise County from Tennessee 
in 1889 and he and his 
large and interesting family 
have been identified in a 
large way with the commer- 
cial, social and political in- 
terests of the county since 
that date. 

Personally Mr. Jones is of 
that type of man who in- 
gratiates himself into the 
good esteem of his fellow 
citizens, per force of many 
attractive and aggressive 
qualities. He is affable, 
genial, kindly antl humor- 
ous, and pronouncedly De- 
mocratic in polit ics . H(^ con- 
cerns himself with all 
economical and connnercial 
affairs that involve the de- 
velopment and progress of the county, and is regarded as one 
of the safest and most substantial of leaders and advisers. He 
stands for good citizenship, good roads, high morals in politics 
and a generally elevated community and commercial life. Lastly, 
he is inherently sociable and is a most pleasing and facile 
speaker and orator. Th(> large dry goods emporium at Bridge- 
I)ort is managetl by Lawrence Jones, the bright and enterpris- 
ing son of the subject of this sketch. The business at Decatur 
is conducted in a manner highly successful by Mr. Jones himself. 




C. C. JONES. 



MODERN WISE COUNTY. 



365 



L. W. TYLER. 

Should a large per cent of the publishers of country news- 
papers in this section speak frankly of the publications which 
they have patterned after in the typographical arrangement of 
their own sheets, the Decatur Neivs, published by L. W. Tyler, 
at Decatur, would come in for a large share of eulogy and 
praise. That Mr. Tyler is an artist in the arrangement of type 
and in the details of press- 
work is a fact that lies on 
the tongue of every person 
who has come to be ac- 
c^uainted with the Decatur 
Neivs, and with the clean 
and excellent printing of 
the News job office. 

Lamotte W. Tyler was 
born in the town of Eaton, 
Madison County, New 
York. He learned the 
printer's trade when a 
youth in the town of Cox- 
sachie,on the Hudson, New 
York. He came to Aurora, 
Wise County, in 1877, to as- 
sume charge of a drug and 
grocery business, which had 
been c o n d u c t e d by a 

brother who had grown ill at his post. His brother's death 
followed, and the business was conducted by Mr. Tyler until 
November, 1881, when he bought a newspaper plant and started 
the Aurora Neivs. He returned to New York and married Miss 
Alice Cheritre, whose life and death is well remembered by 
Decatur citizens. About twenty years ago, Mr. Tyler came to 
Decatur and started the Decatur News, which has been con- 
ducted in the interests of the varied life of the conununity 
without change since that date. Subsequently Mr. Tyler was 




L. W. TYLER. 



366 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

married to Miss Ruth Colgan, a most excellent young lady of 
Linneus, Mo., whose residence in Decatur has been marked by 
the cultivation of generous friendships and the perpetuation of 
her qualities of refined and winsome womanhood. Personally, 
Mr. Tyler is of a strikingly friendly disposition when once known. 
He has a cultivated musical ear, which impels his attendance 
upon the musical interest and affairs of the town. As an editor 
he seldom writes unless he has something forcible and sensible 
to say, and this is said without waste of words or circumlocution. 
He loves the town of Decatur and her people, and wields the 
influence of his popular paper in behalf of their interests. Both 
himself and wife are closely identified with the social and church 
work of Decatur, and represent in themselves the highest type 
of the best citizenship of the place. 



FRANK J. FORD. 

Frank J. Ford is the eldest son of Dr. and Mrs. J. F. Ford. 
He was born at Lewisville, in Denton County, February 14, 1875, 
and moved to Decatur with his parents when he was a lad of 
only nine years. His father, Dr. J. F. Ford, was for many years 
a practicing physician in this town and was a soldier of the 
Southern Confederacy. Frank was educated in the public 
school of Decatur, and at Baylor University of Waco. He 
studied law and was admitted to the bar in June, 1895. In 1896, 
when he was only 21 years of age, he was elected city attorney of 
Decatur, and in November, 1900, was elected county attorney, 
and served two terms. He was married to Miss Rebecca Kenny, 
a daugther of Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Kenny, on April 20, 1900. 

Frank is a 32d degree Mason, Past Chancellor of the K. of P. 
lodge of Decatur, and a member of the I. 0. 0. F. He was born 
and reared a Democrat, and has always been a leader in the 
councils of his party. He has served three terms as chairman 
of the Democratic Executive Committee of Wise County, and 
is at present serving in that capacity. He is also a prominent 
member of the Decatur bar and for a number of years has enjoyed 
a lucrative practice. 



MODERN WISE COUNTY. 



367 




FRANK J. FORD AND SON CLARENCE, 



REV. J. B. TIDWELL. 

President Decatur Baptist College. 

Rev. J. B. Tidwell, who is now president of the Decatur 
Baptist College, acquired his education at Blooming Grove 
Academy, Howard College and Baylor University. In 1891 he 
entered Blooming Grove Academy, graduating from there two 
years later. He entered Howard College, of Birmingham, Ala., 



368 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



from which institution he graduated with honor in 1898. In 
1893 Baylor University conferred the degree of Master of Arts 




REV. J. B. TIDWELL. 



on him, and he is now a correspondent student of Chicago 
University. 



MODERN WISE COUNTY. 369 

Rev. Tidwell is one of the best instructors in the State. His 
pupils have distinguished themselves in other institutions, and 
his many years of experience place him in the front rank of public 
educators. 



DECATUR BAPTIST COLLEGE. 

No town in North Texas is so well situated for the location of 
a college as Decatur. It has an elevation that is sufficient to 
afford a perfect and natural drainage, and the pure water and 
delightful climate of this country makes this one of the most 
healthful towns in the State. Decatur being a small town, there 
are not those distracting influences that are met with in the larger 
towns and cities. The moral and religious influences of the town' 
are splendid, its inhabitants are refined and cultured, and its 
citizens are all loyal to the interests of the college. Those who 
located the school showed their wisdom in selecting Decatur 
as the site for Decatur Baptist College. 

The institution was established in 1892, when the three asso- 
ciations of Wise, Montague and Red Fork Counties, acting 
through a central board of trustees, launched the North West 
Texas Baptist College. The school was established with Dr. 
A. J. Emerson, a former president of Howard Payne College, as 
president. Since Dr. Emerson's resignation the school has had 
two other presidents, B. F. Giles and J. L. Ward. The school 
prospered under the management of Dr. Giles, who was president 
from 1898 to 1900. In 1900 Rev. J. L. Ward was elected presi- 
dent, and the name of the institution was changed to Decatur 
Baptist College. Under the direction of Rev. Ward, the school 
has had unparalleled prosperity for the past seven years. The 
attendance has increased from 150 to 250 this year. The school 
now has three modern buildings with an aggregate value of 
$60,000. 

In May of this year, Rev. J. L. Ward resigned his position as 
president of the College in order to take the work of traveling 
secretary of the Baptist Educational Commission of Texas. 
A special meeting of the board of trustees was called to select 

24 



370 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

his successor, and Rev. J. B. Tidwell, who had been the teacher 
of Greek and Latin in the college for seven years, was elected to 
the presidency. 

The main building is large and imposing, three-story stone 
building. It contains a commodious chapel, large and well 
ventilated recitation rooms, offices and society halls. Neel 
Hall is a two-story building of thirty-two rooms and is used as 
the home for young men. The new stone and brick dormitory 
for young ladies contains fifty well finished rooms, and is one 
of the nicest and most conveniently arranged homos for young 
ladies in the state. 

The college has aimed to make its work of the most thorough 
kind and the success with which its graduates have met, and 
especially those attending other institutions, has proven the 
claim of the college, that in college life the student must have 
thoroughness and that constant application to hard work, and 
that alone, will bring this. The work is therefore of such a kind 
that a student who is unwilling to work hard, and that all the 
time, need not enter. It has been the constant aim of this college 
also to be a distinct moral and religious force. Every student is 
therefore not only required to do faithful classroom work, but 
must maintain a good moral standing, and must study the 
bible in one of the bible classes. 

The following is the expense for a nine months' term : Tuition, 
board and incidentals, $164.50; with elocution, $182.50; with 
music, $218.50; with music and elocution, $230.50. In the 
preparatory department it is $9.00 in each case. For information 
write Rev. J. B. Tidwell, president, Decatur, Texas. 



W. L. DALLAS. 



One of the rarest of Inmian traits is the quality of concentra- 
tion. We seldom see ftien predisposed to follow one given call- 
ing or occupation throughout the entire history of their lives. 
Men fly away at a tangent, grow tired of what they are doing, 
and allow themselves to be lured away into other channels 
which, more often than not, culminates in wreckage to their life's 



MODERN WISE COUNTY, 



371 



boat. But when we do find a stayer in a given line he is at 
once admired, and an investigation will prove that if he is not 
financially successful he has mastered the intricate and com- 
plex details of his trade, which is an accomplishment of rare 
and high value. With these words we describe the life history 
of W. L. Dallas, of Decatur, a man whose mastery of the com- 
plicated details of the grocery business stands undisputed. For 
eighteen busy years Mr. 
Dallas has been behind the r" 
counter and at the helm 
of one grocery business 
after another in Decatur 
until at present he is align- 
ed with the substantial 
firm of Russell & Dallas. 
For a stretch of eleven 
years he lost only seven 
days away from business, 
and then when his father's 
death forced his absence. 

Thus by enterprise and 
pertinacity, Mr. Dallas has 
risen from the obscure po- 
sition of an apprentice to 
one of the foremost posi- 
tions in the business ranks 
of Wise County. 

Briefly recited, his his- 
tory is as follows: Born 
at Java, Neshoba Co., Mis- 
sissippi, July 24, 1862. Served an apprenticeship when a boy with 
a firm in Meridian, Mississippi, who gave him papers of recommen- 
dation which secured him a position with Ullman & Co., gro- 
cers in Decatur, Texas, in 1889. Came to Wise County in 
1881; taught school six years, after which he came to Decatur 
and remained with Ullman & Co. eleven years. In 1891 he was 
married to Miss Kate Russell, the daughter of a pioneer, to which 
union two children have been born — Alma May and Russell 




W. L. DALLAS. 



372 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



Prentiss. Mrs. Dallas is popular socially, and one of the town's 
leaders in church work. The business spirit of the firm of Rus- 
sell & Dallas reflects the energy of its proprietors. Goods and 
produce are turned rapidly, therefore stocks are constantly 
replenished with fresh, crisp receipts. Business is done on an 
honest, courteous basis, consequently the firm is a popular 
trading resort in Decatur. 



GAPT. M. D. SELLARS. 
Gaptain M. D. Sellars has resided in Decatur since 1883. 
He came originally from Moniteau County, Mo., where he was 
born, March 4, 1846. At the age of 13, Capt. Sellars moved to 
Benton Gounty, Arkansas, with his parents, and two years later, 
when he was 15, joined the Confederate service, aligning himself 

with General Ben McCul- 
loch's Texas Ranger force, 
then operating in Northern 
Arkansas. He remained 
throughout the war, seeing 
service in Arkansas, Mis- 
souri, Louisiana, and Mis- 
sissippi. In 1878 he mar- 
ried Miss Laura Pearson at 
Fayetteville, Ark., after 
which he became a mer- 
chant at Bloomfield. 

Capt. Sellars came to 
Decatur in poor circum- 
stances, but by honesty, 
industry and economy, has 
grown successful, being 
now the oldest grocery mer- 
chant in Decatur. He has 
remained loyal to the 
memory of the Confederate 
cause, and is the moving 
spirit of that order in this community. He is a generous- 
hearted citizen and highly respected C'hristian gentleman. One 




CAPT. M. D. SELLARS. 



MODERN WISE COUNTY 



373 



of his chief est characteristics is cheerfulness, and this quahty he 
succeeds in communicating to all who come in contact with 
him, both socially and in a business way. He is therefore 
popular with the majority of people and especially with that 
class who admire a man who proves able to see the lining of 
every dark cloud, especially when roseate views are shut out 
from their own vision. 

No history of Capt. Sellars, however brief, would be com- 
plete unless inclusive of allusions to the great enterprise, energy 
and leadership he has demonstrated in organizing the annual 
reunions of the Confederate veterans in Joe Wheeler Parli. It 
will be sufficient to say, however, that the people of Wise 
County are largely indebted to Capt. Sellars for their three 
days' annual fun-making and holiday on this occasion. 

Capt. Sellars at present conducts a successful grocery business 
on East Main Street, Decatur. 



WASH DAVIS. 

Wash Davis is genial, 
kindly and accommodating, 
which, in addition to his 
qualities of scrupulousness 
and high personal integrity, 
admit him to the trust and 
confidence of the people of 
Wise County. His tenure of 
the office of tax-assessor 
years ago and his present 
tenure of the county treas- 
urer's office has been all 
that an able, honest citizen 
could make it, and never 
a word of reproach is uttered 
against the man nor his me- 
thod of conducting the busi- 
ness of these branches. Mr. 
Davis was born in Gibson 




WASH DAVIS. 



374 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 




> 

d 

CO 

6 

2 



MODERN WISE COUNTY. 375 

County, Tennessee, June 22, 1858; came to Tarrant County, 
Texas, in 1877, and to Wise County in 1881, locating near Alvord. 
He was elected county assessor in 1890, serving four years, 
and in 1906 he was elected county treasurer and will doubt- 
less be re-elected. He has been a highly useful citizen, having 
taught Alvord's first school in the summer of 1883. He 
was married to Miss Lucy Boyce at Pinesville, Louisiana, in 1890. 
Any branch of Wise County's official business is safe in the 
hands of such noble, upright men as Wash Davis has proven 
to be. 



BEN Mcculloch camp. 

No. 30, u. c. V. 

In 1886 the soldiers of the South who had survived the con- 
flicts of the Civil War, living in Wise County, met at Decatur 
and organized the Ben McCulloch Camp, No. 30, of the United 
Confederate Veterans of America. This band of Southern heroes 
had no purpose of renewing the spirit of the war, or espousing 
again the fortunes of a lost cause; but in order that they might 
keep a true history of the war and hand down to the rising 
generation a correct record of the deeds performed by the sons 
of the Southland, they banded themselves together in a perma- 
nent organization. When the camp w^as organized there were 
more than a hundred of the boys who had worn the gray during 
the trying scenes of the sixties. The roll of members contained 
such names as Dr. J. F. Ford, Colonel G. B. Pickett, J. A. Penn, 
W. P. Russell, Captains M. D. Sellers, Will A. Miller, Ira Long, 
and scores of other venerable soldiers of the South. Captain 
Will A. Miller was elected as the first Adjutant of the camp, 
which office he held until January, 1896, when Captain M. D. 
Sellars, a sketch of whose life is given in this edition, was elected 
to succeed him. Dr. J. F. Ford was also elected as first Com- 
mander of the camp, and held the office as long as the camp 
could persuade him to keep it. 

From the time the camp was organized in 1886 until the 
present time, these Sons of the Confederacy have been assem- 



376 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



bling themselves together in pubhc meetings once every month, 
to discuss matters of general interest to the camp and to them- 
selves, to consider anything that would be for the betterment 
of the U. C. V, organization of America, and to look after and 
provide for the indigent soldiers and their widows in as chari- 
table a manner as possible. 



DR. W. B. PALMER. 
Dr. W. B. Palmer, of Audubon, Wise County, was born in 
Rutherford County, Tennessee, March 12, 1849. Was the oldest 
son of G. P. and Martha Palmer; the family consisted of four 
girls and an equal number of boys, all of whom are dead ex- 
cept J. F. Palmer, of Graham, Oklahoma, and Dr. Palmer. 
When a boy the latter attended school at Milton, Tennessee, 
later attended Hanna Highland College at Virvilla, Tennessee, 
under Professor William Looney. In 1868 he moved to Benton 
County, Ark., and attended school at the Baptist College at 
Springdalc, Arkansas, under Professor L. R. Barnes. Here he 
was a classmate of Rev. Edward Newton, late of Chico, Wise 
County, Texas. Dr. Palmer was married in 1875 to Miss Bettie 
McCoy, of Elm Springs, Arkansas. In 1877 he moved to John- 
son County, Texas, and taught school three years at Greenbrier. 
In 1881 he came to Wise County and taught the public school 

at Foster three years, after which 
he attended the medical depart- 
ment at Vanderbilt University, and 
graduated as a physician in 1886, 
after which he practiced his pro- 
fession at Audubon, his present 
place of residence. In 1892 he lost 
the wife of his youth, leaving two 
daughters, Maggie and Laura. In 
1894 hcjwas married to Mrs.Lenora 
^ an Zant, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Jake Shipman of Bella, Wise 
County. 

By industry and economy he has 
made a success of his chosen profes. 
DR. w. B. p.\LMER. siou, is ouc of the highly respecte 




MODERN WISE COUNTY 



377 



citizens of his section, a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church and a leading Mason of that order in Wise County. He 
is spending his busy but contented days with his family, his wife 
and three daughters, Maggie, Laura and Cora Van Zant, at a 
beautiful home called Gynndome, near Audubon. 



W. P. ROBERTS. 



W. P. Roberts of Bridgeport, better known to Wise County 
people as Perry Roberts, is another of those sterling, indus- 
trious citizens who came to Wise County at an early time with 
practically nothing to start 



with, but who, by hard work 
and frugality has surrounded 
himself with comforts and 
plenty, reared a respectable 
family and forced his way 
into the good esteem of all 
who know him. He was born 
in Randolph County, Ala- 
bama, July 21, 1851. At 
twenty years of age he came 
with his father to Johnson 
County, Texas, locating. near 
Alvarado. Then in 1879 
Mr. Roberts moved to Cooke 
County and staid two years, 
after which he came to Wise 
on November 26, 1881, settl- 
ing onOsteen Branch, north 
of Paradise, where he lived 
until 1884. After this date Mr. 
Roberts' home was in Plea- 
sant VaHey Community, about five miles southwest of Bridge- 
port, where he accumulated considerable property and came to 
be a substantial citizen. In later years, off and on, Mr. Rob- 
erts had been a successful merchant at Bridgeport, and resides 
there now, conducting a popular grocery store. 




MR. AND MRS. W. P. ROBERTS. 



378 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



Mr. Roberts has been twice married, first to Miss Ann McDonald 
in Johnson County in 1873, then in 1893, following her death, to 
Jeanette Fullingim, daughter of Archer Fullingim, a pioneer 
citizen of Wise County. Mr. Roberts came into Decatur the 
day after the old courthouse in the center of the scjuare burned, 
which was November 26, 1881, a fact that has been instrumental 
in establishing the exact date of the burning of this building 
for the purposes of this record. 



G. F. Mccracken. 

G. F. McCracken, commonh^ known as Dee, belongs to that 
class of sterling men who left the old States and came into Texas 
with nothing to call their own but a willingness to work and 

to save, and a strong phys- 




ical body to put their yearn- 
ings into action. Dee 
McCracken settled on Wal- 
nut Creek, Wise County, in 
1883, with 25 cents in his 
pocket. His necessities forced 
him to till other people's 
land, and he became a renter 
on E. Curtner's place in the 
Anneville community. To- 
day he is a foremost farmer 
and live-stock breeder, not 
alone of Wise County, but of 
Texas. His pre-eminence as 
a breeder of thorough-bred 
Poland-China hogs being de- 
monstrated at the Dallas fair, 
where on more than one occa- 
sion he won some of the 
most valuable prizes offered. 
His fame as a raiser of game 
chickens is co-extensive with the nation, having shipped, as he 
has, fighting cocks into every state of the Union. Mr. McCracken's 



G. F. McCracken. 



MODERN WISE COUNTY, 



379 



accomplishments along these lines speak favorably for his pos- 
session of force and intellectuality, ciualities which are essential 
to the breeding of high class animals which he produces. His 
sales also indicate that he is a man of business shrewdness and 
sagacity. He lives at present in a large new home a few miles 
north of Decatur, where he has every convenience for the rais- 
ing of thoroughbred stock. Mr. McCracken is 42 years old, 
having been born in Newburn, Dyer County, Tennessee, 
December 15, 18(35. He celebrated the ending of the famous 
1886-87 drouth in Wise County by marrying Miss Brittle Faith, 
daughter of B. W. Faith, a foremost citizen. To this union 
have been born seven children, the eldest child being 18, the 
vounsest about two. 



CARL FAITH. 



Studiously attentive to the 
business of his ofRce and cour- 
teously considerate of all re- 
quests for favors and infor- 
mation of which his branch 
is custodian, is the record of 
Carl Faith in the office of 
district clerk of Wise County. 
He has been there now since 
1900, four consecutive terms, 
and so capably has he per- 
formed his duties that there 
is no apparent disposition to 
displace him. Mr. Faith was 
born in Davis County, Ken- 
tucky, June 2, 1876, but has 
l^een raised in Wise County, 
having been brought here by 
his parents when two (years 
of age. He is the son of B. 
W. Faith, who has been long 





CARL FAITH. 



380 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

known as a prominent Wise County farmer and citizen. One 
of the characteristics of Mr. Faith's office work is neatness; 
some others are legibility and cleanhness, conditions which are 
revealed upon an examination of the books and documents of 
this office. These facts are indicative of the use of carefulness 
and system in the routine work which goes on there and are 
conditions deplorably absent in very many of the county offices 
of the State. Doubtless Mr. Faith at any time can place his 
hand on any document or book that is desired, which is a great 
source of pleasure and convenience to all who have business with 
the department. Mr. Faith is married and resides at Decatur. 
His wife was Miss Ora Turney, daughter of Dr. J. W. Turney, of 
Robt. Lea, Texas, whom he married July 30, 1905. 



C. B. GUNN. 



C. B. Gunn is a native of Georgia. He was born in Warren 
County, that state, December, 18(34. He early moved to Mississ- 
ippi where he lived until he was 20 years of age. In his 20th 
year Mr. Gunn assumed the responsibilities of life for himself, 
and came to Texas, where he was soon afterwards married to 
Miss Sarah E. Vance. He lived at Cottondale ten years, tluring 
which time he farmed four years and sold drugs six years. In 
1894 Mr. Gunn was elected tax collector of Wise County. He 
then moved to Decatur and served his second term as collector. 
When his second term expired, he went into the drug business 
with J. P. Hayter, and for several years this firm transacted a 
retail drug business. Later Mr. Gunn entered business by him- 
self. He has been as successful in business and has made as 
many friends as a business man as he did in public life. The 
people of Decatur and Wise County have learned to trust him 
as a man of perfect integrity and exceptional business ability. 
Mr. Gunn is an example of what an honest, upright and ])erse- 
vering boy can make of himself when he is determined to face 
the world for himself and meet every issue fair and square. 
There is not a better citizen in Wise County than C. B. Gunn. 
He stands for civic righteousness as well as purity of morals and 



MODERN WISE COUNTY. 



381 



faithfulness in Christian duty. For 20 years he has been an 
active member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he has al- 
ways been engaged in every enterprise to advance the interest of 
his denomination and the cause of Christianity in general. He is 
at present superintendent of the Baptist Sunday School of the 
Decatur Baptist Church, and a member of the board of trustees 
of Decatur College. He is also an Odd Fellow and a Mason. 

His drug store is a popular resort for all who need drug sun- 
dries, paints, oils, etc. In addition he conducts a soda fountain; 
also he does the bulk of trade in school books and supplies, and 
in magazines, newspapers and periodicals. 



JNO. M. BRANCH. 

When a man is a good 
man personally, he cannot 
be otherwise than a good 
official. The man who al- 
ways does his duty as a 
citizen will always do right 
as an official. 

There is not a man oc- 
cupying an official position 
in Wise County that has 
more friends or any better 
official record than has John 
M. Branch, our efficient 
sheriff. Mr. Branch has re- 
sided in Wise County for 
thirty years, and is well- 
known as a man of sterling 
qualities. He is intensely 
loyal to his friends, and 
no man is more ready to 
accommodate his friends 
than Mr. Branch. But he 

does not allow personal feelings to influence him in any way 
when it comes to the performance of his duty. 

As a citizen, Mr. Branch has always stood as high as the 




SHERIFF JOHN M. BRANCH. 



382 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



highest and no one has a thing to say against him, either as 
an officer or citizen. The voters of Wise County did not make 
a mistake when they selected Mr. Branch as their clioice. The 
people's interests are always first in his mind, self being a 
secondary consideration. He is a native of Texas, being born 
in Bellview, Rusk County, Texas, September 13, 1807. He 
was married to Miss Lenora Kelley, of Wise County, March 14, 
1903. 



SAM FAITH. 
The grand old state of Kentucky has done much in the way 
of contributing her citizens to the commonwealth of Texas. This 

state has sent thousands of 
her choicest citizens into our 
fair domain who have be- 
come the warp and woof 
of our civilization. The 
"Cane and Turkey" state 
has certainly clone its part 
by Wise County. Among 
the scores of capable citizens 
of Wise County who hail 
from this proud state, are 
Sam and Carl Faith, the sons 
of B. W. Faith, who now 
lives two and one-half miles 
north of Decatur. 

Sam Faith was onh' five 
years of age when he 'left 
the blue grass regions and 
came to Texas with his 
father. Since the 12th day 
of February, 1878, he has 
lived in Texas, and the many 
friends which he has are a testimony of what his life has been. 
Mr. Faith knows Wise County like a book, and there are few 
people who have been in the county any length of time that 
he does not know and number among his friends. 




SAM FAITH. 



MODERN WISE COUNTY. 



383 



For a number of years he has served as deputy sheriff of this 
county, and has estabhshed a reputation for enforcing law that 
has made him respected by law-breakers everywhere. He has 
been deputy sheriff under Tom McClure, John Cearley, and 
is now serving as deputy for our efficient sheriff, John Branch. 
We are proud that Wise County has such peace officers as Sam 
Faith, John Branch and Buck Riley to enforce its laws. 



HUGH D. SPENCER. 

Hugh D. Spencer is a son 
of our honored fellow-towns- 
man, Judge R. F. Spencer, 
who was county judge of 
Wise County from 1894 to 
1896. Mr. Spencer is a native 
of Burksville, Kentucky. He 
came to Decatur some seven- 
teen years ago and entered 
the public school of the city. 
He received his education in 
the public school and at the 
Baptist College. He studied 
law and was admitted to the 
bar in June, 1897. 

Though Mr. Spencer has 
only been practicing law ten 
years he has held a number 
of positions of trust in this 
county. He has served one 
term as city attorney, two 
terms as justice of the peace 

of Precinct No. 1, and is now serving his second term as 
county attorney. The continuous trust that the people have 
placed in him is evidence of his true worth. Mr. Spencer is an 
upright citizen in the private walks of life, and as a public 
official he has a record that is absolutely above reproach. He 




HUGH D. SPENCER. 



384 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

is a Democrat of the true Jeffersonian timber and he believes 
in the enforcement of law in the strictest sense. The people of 
Wise County have had few officers that have been as attentive 
to the interests of the people and that have enforced the laws 
of the state without fear or favor as has Mr. Spencer. The 
writer believes that without paying Mr. Spencer an undue 
compliment, he has made one of the best attorneys Wise County 
ever had. 



JOHN H. MORRIS. 

During Civil War days artisans like blacksmiths and wood- 
workmen were exempted from service in the armies because of a 
recognition of their vital usefulness to the communities in which 
they lived and worked. No higher compliment was ever paid 
to this worthy class of men who in every age and clime have 
contributetl their valued labors to the cause of material civiliza- 
tion. We have in our community a man who, since 1884, has 
worked steadily, honestly and efficiently, at his trade of black- 
smithing, and he has not only succeeded financially but has 
built himself a reputation for good citizenship among his fellow 
townsmen of Decatur. We refer to John H. Morris. Mr. 
Morris' shop has long been located on West Main street, where 
he can be found when any character of woodworking or black- 
smithing is needed. 



D. W. COOPER. 



David W. Cooper, present tax assessor of Wise County, is 
a native of Tennessee, born in Gibson County of that state, July 
23, 1851. Like the majority of self-made men, he was raised 
on a farm and had a hard struggle to procure a meagre 
amount of education. Until he was thirty years of age he 
spent his time in working on the farm, teaching school and 
studying for the career before him. January 7, 1875, he was 
married to Miss Maggie Flowers, whose death occurred in Wise 
County after Mr. Cooper moved to this state. He came here 



MODERN WISE COUNTY 



3S5 



because his health failed, in 1883, and settled at Chico, where 
he again resumed farming and teaching. He taught the Prairie 
Point School ten successive years and the Glasgow School eight 
years. January 9, 1904, Mr. Cooper was married to Mrs. Ida 
Adair, of Chico, the present place of their residence. He is now 
serving his secontl term as 
tax assessor, and no man 
has made a more deter- 
mined, honest and sincere 
official effort in behalf of 
his constituency. The 
enormous increase in the 
total values of taxation 
during his two tenures is 
due both to the natural in- 
crease of property values 
and to Mr. Cooper's energy 
and enterprise in securing 
comprehensive assessments. 
Mr. Cooper is personally a 
lovable man, possessed of 
good and noble qualities. 
Besides, fie is a staid and 
substantial citizen and a 
Christian gentleman; takes 
part in the higher affairs of 
the conmiunity and contrib- 
utes the strength of his honest might to the progress and 
upbuilding of the county in general. To a great degree he 
possesses those qualifications of intrinsic merit which makes it 
fortunate for any county to have such a man in her places of 
trust and responsibility. 




D. W. COOPER. 



DAVE MARTIN. 

The career of Dave S. Martin is illustrative of the beneficence 
and success in life which follows on industry, frugality and 
honesty. It is said that many men have high aims in life, but 



386 ■ PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

few are good shots, which is as if to say that many men intend 
to do well in a given line, but fly away at a tangent before the 
goal is reached. Mr. Martin set out early in life imbued with 
the purpose of making himself comfortable and independent. 
He has reached that goal now when he is in his prime and his 
road henceforth will be no rougher than he cares to make it. 
All along the route he has been cheered by the joy that comes 
from hon(>st labor and enthusiasm that looks forward to rosy 
results. Mr. Martin is a native Texan, born in Collin County, 
November 27, 1858. His youth was spent there, and there he 
married, the date being August 25, 1884, the lady of his choice. 
Miss Lovie Willis, of the community. Mrs. Martin is a 
native of Itiwamba County, Mississippi. Bhe has steered close 
to the side of her husband through all his successful struggle, 
and now rejoices with him in the happy accomplishment. 

After some years of leasing and renting, Mr. Martin started 
the town of Sedalia, in Collin County, by establishing a store 
from which the village grew. After five years of mercantile life 
he came to Denton County in 1893, and two years later moved 
over into Wise County. For several years Mr. Mai'iin has 
owned a large pasture six miles northeast of Slidell, which is 
well stocked with cattle and horses. He presently resides in 
Decatur, where he moved this year to place his cRildrcn in 
school. He is a member of the firm of Martin & Williams, who 
own a large barn and deal in mules and other stock. 

Mr. and Mrs. Martin are substantial atlditions to the social and 
business life of Decatur. The names of their children are Elbert, 
Lake, Ennard, Willie, Irvin, Charlie, Tillie, Ned and Opal. 



SECTION SIX 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 



MAN AND SIMMONS, DRUGGISTS. 

Some philosopher has said in effect that every institution is 
the lengthened shadow of some man. It follows that any- 
given institution of success must reflect the qualities of a man 
whose genius and force has made it what it is. We have in 
Decatur the drug business of Man and Simmons, a successful 
institution that reflects the shadow of the men behind it, who 
are Mr. Walter Man and Dr. Charles B. Simmons. The latter 
devotes his time to his profession, leaving Mr. Man to be the 
presiding genius of the business, though he is ably supported 
by Mr. Floyd Kenney, a trusted and efficient employee of 
years' standing. The accommodating nature, the precision and 
the high expertness of Mr. Man in the complexities of the drug 
business are proverbial in Decatur and community, and have 
attracted and built up a trade for Man and Simmons that is 
a source of constant gratification to the proprietors, and the sub- 
ject of admiring comment by the long list of new and old patrons 
of the firm. Mr. Man has doubtless applied himself closer for a 
longer time to the mastery of the drug business than any man in 
this section, and the prescriptions, and the materials and 
goods he turns out bear the stamp of genuineness to- such a 
degree that the act of questioning them has long since fallen 
into disuse. It is because of this scrupulousness, attention to 
the minutest details of the business, that the firm has obtained 
a place of individual distinction among the buying public of 
Decatur and community. It is a distinction that seeks to be 
kind, helpful and considerate and which never fails to attract 
the casual customer and bring him again and again to this 
store for his purchases in the drug line. Besides, every article 
that belongs to the list of fresh, pure drug sundries, this firm 
specializes in jewelry, toilet articles, soaps and perfumeiy, 
paints, (the famous S. W. P. fine), oil, varnishes, window 
glass, cigars and tobacco, proprietary and patent medicines. 
South side square. 

(387) 



388 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



D. E. WALCOTT. 

D. E. Walcott, who rec(»ntly opened a general store on the 
southwest corner of the square, is well known to the residents of 
Decatur and surrounding country. Mr. Walcott resided in 
Decatur several years ago, but went to Boyd in the latter part 
of the 9()'s and engaged in the mercantile business at that j^laco. 




D. E. WALCOTT SUPPLY STORE. 



He has by persistent effort and close buying, made a success, 
and no one is more worthy than is he. Mr. Walcott is a good 
business man and looks out for his own interests, but he is not 
so blinded by selfishness as a great many men are, that he does 
not have the time to help further any cause that is to the 
interests of the town and county in which he resides. You will 
always find D. E. Walcott reatly when it comes to advancing 
the interests of the farmers especially. Mr. Walcott is pro- 



ADVEUTISEMENTS. 



389 



priotor of the only store in Decatur that sells everything. He 
not only sells everything, but buys everything, and the farmer 
can always find a market for his products at Walcott's Supply 
Store, and he will always receive the highest market price for 
same. The Supply Store makes a specialty of up-to-date cloth- 
ing, dry goods and gents' furnishings. The grocery stock is one 
of the newest and cleanest in the city. The celebrated John 
Deere Buggies and new Moline wagons are handled exclusively 
by Mr. Walcott, and the prices on these vehicles are always 
right. 'The price is the thing," is the motto of the Supply 
Storo, and they live up to theii* motto. 




M. L. ROBERTSON S MARKET. 



M. L. ROBERTSON'S MARKET. 

''Where do you buy your meat?" asked a newcomer to De- 
catur of his next door neighbor. "At M. L. Robertson's" was 
the an.swer, "and I'll tell you why. He always keeps a clean, 
tidy market, and his meats are always the best that can be ob- 
t.'iine<l in the Decatur mai'ket." This statement expresses the 



390 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

sentiment of the discriminating housewives of Decatur. Mr. 
Robertson does keep as tidy a shop as one will see anywhere, 
and he takes pains to provide his customers nothing but the 
choicest meats. Mr. Robertson does his own slaughtering, and 
his buyers have instructions to buy no animal that will not dress 
out good tender meat. He pays the highest price for butchers' 
stuff the year round, and the farmers for miles around have 
felt the effect of his liberal purchasing policy, ^'ery few of them 
will part with an animal that is ready for the butcher's block 
without first seeing Mr. Robertson or one of his representatives. 
Mr. Robertson is a pleasant gentleman personally and employs 
only courteous assistants. You can send your child to this 
market with the assurance that it will be treated just as nicely 
and receive just as good meat as you would yourself. Always 
buy your meat from Robertson, and when you have a fat animal 
to sell, phone him and get his price before you sell. 



FORD & THOMASON, 

Druggists. 

• The building lot in the center of the west side of the pu])lic 
square whereon stands the drug store of Ford & Thoinason has 
been known immemorially as a place where Decatur druggists 
have conducted a business. Decatur's first drug store, the old 
"Apothecary Shop" of Dr. Stewart referred to in the foregoing 
record, was established where Ford & Thomason now stands. 
The oldest born Decatur citizen cannot recall a time when a 
drug store was not being conducted at this stand ; as a conse- 
quence the place has gained a reputation and the citizens of 
this community instinctively turn to this location when the 
need of medicines and other articles carried by modern drug- 
gists is uppermost in the mind. For many years the Ford & 
Thomason store was conducted by the popular John W. Sparrow, 
who popularized the institution immensely. Mr. Sparrow's 
successor was the genial John P. Haj^er, whose long reign of 
successful business was marked by a constant increase in the 
number and (luality of the store's customers. The stand then 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 391 



Decatur Land Loan 
and Abstract Co. 

(incorporatkd) 

^^ DECATUR, TEXAS -^^ 



MR. J. P. HAYTER is President and Manager of the Company. 
R. L. THOMPSON, Secretary. F. J. FORD, Attorney 



Mr. Hayter organized the company 
after retiring from the conduct of a 
drug business for several successful years. 
As a business man he is enterprising 

and able 

His company does a general land 
business, lists and sells land, makes 
abstracts and negotiates loans. Country 
and city property for sale and exchange, 
deeds written and acknowledgments 
taken. Prospective land buyers shown 
about the country. Let the company 
know your wants 




Office: MILLER BUILDING 

JUST OFF SOUTHWEST CORNER SQUARE 



392 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

came into the hands of Dr. John Ford and Gordon Thomason. 
The latter was associated with Mr. Hayter and helped in the 
success of the business before he became its joint proprietor. 
Dr. John Ford is the son of Dr. J. F. Ford, the lamented and 
beloved citizen and physician who died in recent years. Ford 
& Thomason are destined to augment the success of the busi- 
ness which the firm now controls. Each member possesses the 
inherent business qualifications necessary to the growth of a 
large enterprise. Their prescription numbers exceed those of 
any other drug store in this section. This is a testimonial to 
the purity of the drugs used and the carefulness exercised in 
compounding physicians' prescriptions. A chief branch of their 
business is the handUng of wall paper, paints, oils and glass,- 
and besides their large stock of drug sundries, they conduct the 
largest and best patronized cold drink fountain in the town. 
Ford & Thomason are numbered among the stable, up-to-date 
institutions of Decatur. 



W. D. PASCHALL'S REMINISENCE READ AT OLD 
SETTLERS' RE-UNION, JXJLY, 1906. 

I discovered Wise County almost fifty years ago, a few months 
after its organization — I did not get here as early as my parents 
did — they had preceded me two years. Because of the fact that 
I was not one of the early settlers there are incidents connected 
with the first settlement of the county about which my recollec- 
tion is not clear. It is a debatable question as to just how far 
back to date one's advent into the county to entitle one to wear 
the credentials " Old Settler." Now, until this disputed point 
is settled I will assume that any time prior to the discovery of 
Uncle Sam Woody on the head waters of Deep Creek, including 
the time they were trying to capture him, and a few years after 
that memorable event, would entitle one to membership in that 
body. 

You know tradition has it that when the first white man brav- 
ing the perils incident to the journey reached this far west, the- 
man since known as Sam Woody was found in a wild state, 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 393 



Peninger, Helm 
and Dillehay 

Hardware, Machinery, 
Implements, Furniture 

Oar Three Floors and Warehouse are filled to capacity 

with the variety of wares and implements 

that make up the several 

branches of our 

business 



IVE SELL 

Shelf Hardware, Stoves, Glass and Queens- 
ware, Wagons and Buggies, Farm lmple= 
ments. Furniture, Carpets, Coffins and 
Undertakers' Supplies, Windmills and 
Piping. 



We also conduct a Tin Shop and Saddlery and Harness Shop. 
We are prepared to equip the household from the cradle to the 
grave. Our Shelf Hardware and Furniture is bright, new and 
clean. We want to do business with you and will not fail if you 
will call and inspect our goods and prices. 



NORTHEAST CORNER EAST SIDE SaUARE 
DECATUR, TEXAS 



394 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

wearing not even a name, but as the timber was dense in parts 
of that country where the capture occurred tliey named him 
" Woody " from the surroundings. Tradition further says that 
he subsisted on such food as nature provided and drank creek 
water. 

Now, as I said in the outset, my recollection is not good on 
events that occurred about that time, antl so I could not vouch 
for the truthfulness of this mythical story — ^I have always 
doubted some parts of it, but not that part relating to drinking 
from a creek, for the oklest inhabitant cannot recall when he 
refused a drink from anything. I can remember when he had 
to take it straight, for in those days there was a patent right 
upon the process of manufacturing sugar, so that we could not 
make it in this country. The fact is, I was large enough to eat 
three pounds of sugar at one sitting before I knew such a luxury 
existed. All the sweetening we had in those halcyon days was "long 
sweetening" — of course it is unnecessary to explain the mean- 
ing of that term to the proverbial old settler, for to him the mean- 
ing is clear and the taste, like the measles, lingers with him yet. 

But molasses making! How memory recalls that time. It 
was the event of events, the paramount occurrence in the life 
of every boy. To drive the old horse round and round, to listen 
to the screaking of the old wooden rollers that refused to be 
quieted, to eat foam from the tub; this was glory enough for one 
lifetime. And such molasses, barring color and taste, has not 
been etjualled. This was " long sweetening." In those days 
all families did not have coffee. We had a substitute for coffee 
in parched wheat, okra berries, etc., and a cup of that beverage 
steaming hot, primed with a spoonful of long sweetening, was 
not dangerous to look upon. Now, some inquisitive person 
might want to know if we had anything else to eat. To be sure — 
we had meat in abundance. If our fathc^r hand't a hog to his 
name he usually had a wild hog claim, and this was sufficient 
for practical jjurposes. The fact that bread was sometimes 
scarce caused no worry. There was some anxiety among us 
children when on Sunday mornings and other rare occasions, 
we hatl biscuit that wouldn't hold out. 

Now, chills and fever were among the other troubles we chil- 



ADVERTISMENTS. 395 



THE NICKEL STORE 

SOUTHEAST CORNER SQUARE 
CONDUCTED BY J £ BAITES 



Following Indicates Variety of our Stock 

Shelf Hardware, Cutlery of all kinds, 
Tinware, Granite and Glassware, 
Chinaware, Mechanics' Tools, Stoves, 
Dry Goods and Notions, Laces and 
Ribbons, Stationery and School Sup- 
plies, Pictures and Art Goods. 



We do not ask big profits but we want fast sales. We put the 
quality and prices of our goods by those of any other firm. 



dren sometimes endured in that happy past, but for these simple 
ailments the remedy was at command, and even now I sometimes 
wonder if we have progressed beyond balmony, shuck and fodder 
tea, and other simple remedies that nature provided and which 
we were compelled to use in the treatment of those diseases. 
At least nothing has been produced that could beat them very 
far for taste. I well remember when at our house we as regularly 
gathered a sack of balmony as we gathered our little crop, and my 
recollection is that this was administered steaming hot and in 
broken doses to us children. 

What I have mentioned were the necessaries of life. We 
were not altogether without some of its luxuries. Polk-salad 
and lambs quarter were known to the inhabitants then, and wild 
onions grew prolifically on the prairie. For pies we had wild 
plums, grapes and sheep sorrell. Of course sheep sorrell was 
served only on rare occasions. It is best served that way, and 
I might add, the rarer the occasion the better off you are. 

I am trying to relate some things as they occured some forty 



396 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

or fifty years ago, from a boy's recollection of them. I hav(> no 
Indian experiences to tell. I am glad I didn't scalp any Indians 
in those days and have always apjjreciated the fact that they 
didn't scalp me. I have never been offended by the fact that 
while they were calling in my neighborhood, they didn't leave 
their card at our house. 

Of course boys had their imaginary troubles in those davs, but 
when I think of them noAv they were nominal and hardly to be 
classified undcn- that name. Now, I might mention the seventh 
day head combing — I designate it that way because it usually 
occured on Saturday. Our combs" were built from a cow's horn 
heated, flattened out, and teeth sawed with a hand saw. Of 
course such an imi)lenient of warfare only caught the larger 
game; the others run at large until they reached maturity. 
Boys didn't give as much attention then as now to the tonsorial 
l)art of their make-up, hence our locks were often badly locked, 
very long, sunburned, and inclined to turn up at the ends, and 
I distinctly recall the suffering tliat fell to my lot when it came 
my time to be combed. Had to take it by turns, and usually the 
job was over with in time for us to gather broom weeds and 
sweep the yards for Sunday so that our big sister's beau woukhi't 
get grass burrs in his fc^et. 

But let me tell you that in my oi)inion the boys reared on the 
frontier were the hapi)iest mortals under the sun. Our parents, 
God bless their precious memoi'ies, may have suf^"ei-(>d great 
anxiety on our account — and wv know that they did — but those 
dark days of struggle and })rivalion were strangers to us. ^^'e 
thought the whole world was living like we were, and were foolish 
if not hai)py. If our father made us one pair of shoes and got 
them done by Christmas, that was as early as we expected them. 
If we didn't get them at all we were not much disappointed 1, and 
shoes or no shoes, it was woe to the grass burr that came in 
contract Wxthal)oy's foot. If we owned sheej) and the spinning 
wheel and loom were ])ut to work, we usually had our new suit 
by that time, and the boy who had a coat the nearest like Jacob's 
of old, and a pair of the loudest screaking shoes, was the most 
])opular among the girls and the most envied by the boys. 

A very dark cloud came ov(>r the haj'>piness of us boys about 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 397 

HORNBACK, 
SAUNDERS 
AND \A/ADE 

Aim to carry a full stock of everything in the 

Grocery 5Line 

Constantly strive to keep the best 
brands of fresh goods on hand 

Highest Prices Paid for Country Produce 



Our Mottoes 

TO SELL CHEAP FOR CASH 
FULL WEIGHTS 
SQUARE DEAL TO ALL 



CANNED GOODS OF ALL KINDS 

BULK COFFEES IMPORTED TEAS 

SEASONABLE PRODUCE 

of all obtainable varieties in stock 



We cater to the best trade. Phone us and we will do the re&t 
NORTHEAST CORNER SQUARE 

DECATUR, TEXAS 



398 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

once a year when soap making time came round. Some people 
contend that if a thing is full it can be no fuller — that it will not 
admit of further comparison, but I learned early in life that this 
is not true, because those old ash hoppers our mothers made 
out of three foot boards could hold all the ashes from a 3x5 fire- 
place through the winter, and when there was room for no more 
it would take twenty buckets of water per day for six days, or 
about thr(H' hundred and sixty gallons, to start it running. Of 
course the time and the quantity could be reduced some by 
l)unching holes down almost to the bottom of the hopper. But 
where this device was resorted to, the lye was not so good, and 
the boy's back usually made up the difference. Think of a boy 
having to draw that much water every day from a sixty-foot well 
with an old windlass that was ec^uaji to a gatling gun if it got loose 
from him, or carry it a quarter of a mile from the spring. I have 
often thought since then what a blessing it would have been to 
me if ash hoppers and windmills could have been invented at the 
'same time. 

The mode of punishment i)ractis(Ml tlien Iw our parents was 
similar to what it is now. The biblical injunction about "sparing 
the rod and spoiling the child " was known to them, and if there 
was any difference it was in favor of the rod. I have always 
believed that our parents adhered very strictly to that doctrine. 
Now, at our schools it was different. They also believed in the 
principle laid down by Solomon, but they also believed in other 
things. You don't hear of a boy nowadays having to stand out 
in the middle of the floor on one foot until he gets so tired he 
forgets h(> has a foot, or stand for hours as I have done with my 
nose thrust into a crack in the rawhide plank of the old Deep 
Creek schoolhouse. Bob Walker was ,my first teacher and the 
originator of this mode of punishment. He would stand the 
boys on a b(>nch against the wall, each onc^ with his nos(> stuck 
into a crack of the house, and it was woe to the boy whose 
curiosity prompted him to withdraw that nose before his time 
was up. 

But the little troubles that we had in those days are not 
worthy to be compared to the vanity and vexation of spirit of 
an uprto-date boy. Did you ever think of the trials a boy must 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 399 

pass through now in even keeping his wardrobe intact. His 
socks alone arc enough to burden one mind. It takes twenty-five 
pairs a year and no two pairs flowered alike! It takes at least 
four pairs of patent leather Sunday shoes, high, low and medium 
quartered, and each with a different shaped toe; it takes two 
dozen shirts, each different from the others, and a tie to match 
each; it takes riding gloves, driving gloves, and dress gloves, 
and various and sundry other articles. Now, imagine if you 
can the consternation in the Deep Creek settlement forty-five 
years ago if a boy thus equipped had suddenly landed in our 
midst. Barnum's great " What is it? " could not have created 
greater curiosity, and I believe that Uncle Sam even would have 
changed his range. 

In the early days my father ran a wood shop at our old home, 
and about my first work was driving an old sorrel horse to the 
lathe that turned out the various articles for the people , such as 
wagon hubs and spokes, bed posts, spinning wheels, etc. The 
Indians came along one night and borrowed the horse and forgot 



D. W. F R A Z E R 

FURNITURE ±^ UNDERTAKING 



LARCEST IN DECATUR 



QUA.LITV REIGNS SVPUEMK IN 
MV BUSINESS. STRONO, HONEST, 
I>El»ENl)zVBI.E CiOOnS KEPT IN 
STOCK AT UEASONAltl.l-: 1»UICES. 



CALL, AND INVESTIGA.TE. GOODS TO SUIT 

ALL THE SEASONS. 

"^'^o'/^ru^.'"'"' Decatur, Texas 



400 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

to return him. I have often regretted the day when that old 
lathe had to go out of business. 

I have here one of my father's old account books during the 
time of which I have just spoken, and to show the needs of the 
people in those days and how conditions have changed, and to 
recall to these old settlers here the names of men possibly for- 
gotten, I will read from that book. 

But, my friends, time, that remorseless destroyer of all things, 
has yellowed these pages and dimmed the writing so that it is 
scarcely disc(n'nible, and from the list of almost a hundred 
names within its folds, who were then mostly in the prime and 
strength of young manhood, the majority have long since passed 
over the great divide. Some have long ago abandoned hope of mak- 
ing this country a fit dwelling place and left it, but few of those 
who were here then are now with us, and it has been to add some- 
thing to their enjoyment that I read from these pages. And 
in conclusion I want to pay my tribute of grateful remembrance 
to a class of our pioneer citizenship that I believe have not 
received their meed of praise — I mean the physicians of that 
time. I mention Drs. Renshaw, Standifer, and the Stuarts. For 
years in a country infested by hostile Indians, through winter's 
cold and summer's heat, the distance was never too great nor the 
night too dark for them to mount a Texas pony and visit the 
sick. I say all hail to their memory. The hardships they en- 
dured through those troublous times only eternity can reveal. 
I believe that we, the descendants of pioneer settlers of Wise 
County, should in some way perpetuate the memories, not only 
of these men who were leaders in protecting us from Indian 
depredations, but of those good men who wore out the best 
years of their lives in caring for the health of our people. Since 
we cannot build these monuments of marble, I am glad a history 
of those times and of those pioneers is being prepared whereby 
their deeds of heroism and self-sacrifice will be preserved to us 
and our children. But few of those linger with us to-day, and 
tJiey have almost reached the foot of the hill on the shadowy 
side. Not many gatherings like this shall pass until it will not 
be " Old Settlers' " day at the re-union, but a day for their 
children and grand children to come together in love and in 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 401 



E,cherd says: 

"I must sell goods and lots of them to come out — my 
profits are small." 

ALSO 

"// you once come into my store and price my goods 
you will not leave without buying because you will be con- 
vinced that I sell sood goods ridiculously cheap.'' 



J.M. ECHERD 

Dealer in 

New and Second Hand Furniture, 
Household Equipments and 
Hardware, Stoves, Car- 
pets and Mattings 

EXCHANGES MADE BARGAINS FOR ALL 



OFF NORTHEAST CORNER SQUARE 

DECATUR, TEXAS 



26 



402 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

gratitude to the Giver of all good, that when He got ready to 
give Wise County to the white man for a habitation, He sent 
along the best material the wide world has ever produced. 

EXTRACT FROM ACCOUNT BOOK. 

Thomas Isbell, Dr. — 

To making one wagon bed -SS . 00 

To repairing running works of wagon 4 . 00 

John Reagan, Dr. — 

To (2) bolsters 10.00 

To setting two tires 5 . 00 

Mary McCright, Dr. — 
To hooping four wheels 8 . 00 

Peter Witsell, Dr.— 

To repairing wagon 4 . 00 

Madison Walker, Dr. — 

To (2) pairs lasts 2.00 

To making one pair shoes 2 . 50 

Mrs. Long, Dr. — 
To stocking plow 8 . 00 

Smith McCall, Dr.— 

To one coffin 12.00 

John Mann, Dr. — 

To repairing plow stock 2 . 50 

To stocking j)low 2 . 00 

To one pair lasts 1 . 00 

To one single-tree 25 

To making one pair shoes 50 

To repairing spinning wheel 1-25 

To repairing cradle ' 2 . 75 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 403 



CITY HOTEL 

R. J. L I N D L E Y, Proprietor 

DECATUR, TEXAS 

$1.00 Per Day Meals 25 Cents 



NICE ROOMS, CAREFUL AND CLEAN ATTENTION 

GOOD FOOD, WELL COOKED AND A PLENTY 

YOUR PATRONAGE SOLICITED 



EXTRACT FROM ACCOUNT BOOK. — CON T 

R. W. Boyd, Dr.— 

To work on wagon $1 . 00 

To repairing spinning-wheel 1 . 00 

To one pair lasts 1 . 00 

To three straight lasts 1 . 50 

To making augur handle 50 

To stocking scythe 3.00 

To filing saw 50 

T. J. Pruntij, Dr.— 

To one tongue and- rounds 15 . 00 

To one axle-tree and (2) bolsters 15.00 

Credit on this Account — 

By three yards domestic 1 . 50 

By cash paid 5 . 00 

By one rasp 2 . 00 

By 26 ft. tobacco 24.00 

By 20 gr. c^uinine 2 . 00 



404 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

EXTRACT FROM ACCOUNT BOOK. — CON't 

Louis Pavillard, Dr. — 

To repairing scythe stock SI . 00 

To repairing plow stock 1 . 00 

Samuel Woody, Dr. — 

To making wagon 31 . 00 

To repairing spinning wheel 1 . 00 

To making axle-tree 1 . 75 

To work on wagon 5 . 00 

George Guinn, Dr. — 
To (1) spinning wheel $5.00 

Mary Russell, Dr. — 

To repairing wheel rim 2 . 00 

To making winding blades 50 

John C. Paschal, Dr. — 

To heading barrel 50 

C. J. Browder, Dr. — 

To making one bedstead 8 . 00 

To making coffin 10.00 

To one straight last 50 

Joseph Hood, Dr. — 

To filling wheel 4 . 75 

Dr. Knight, Dr. — 
To repairing buggy 50 . 00 

R. W. Boyd, Dr.^ 

To making axe handle 50 

To setting tires 3 . 00 

To makino' axle-tree 2 . 00 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 405 

THE MISSISSIPPI STORE 

General Dry Goods 

"THE PLACE TO OET NEW GOODS" 

We handle exclusively the following reputable brands: 

EDWIN CLAPP, AND HAMILTON-BROWN SHOES. 
SPERO MICHAEL AND SONS CLOTHING. 
OX BREECHES. 

STAR AND BEAVER BRAND HATS. 
EXCLUSIVE MILLINERY. 

We sold your father and mother. We have been here for years. We 
want to sell you. Satisfaction in every department or your money back . 
Can you ask more. 

The Mississippi Store 

S. A. LILLARD, Proprietor. 
Northeast Corner Square. DECATUR, TEXAS 

Lillard and Go. 'riSf 

Decatur's Oldest 



Hardware and Implement Store 

Stock full and complete in every de- 
partment, ranging from shelf-hard- 
ware to machinery and implements of 
all kinds. Studebaker Wagons — the 
best. Anchor Buggies. Harness and 
Saddles, home manufacture, therefore 
the best. : : : : : 



Twenty Years' successful business experience enables 

Lillard and Co. 

to fulfill your wants whatever they may be. 



406 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



EXTRACT FROM ACCOUNT BOOK. — CON T 

To making wagon tongue $ 2 . 00 

To making handle 50 

To making two straight lasts 1 .00 

To making plow handles 1 . 00 

To repairing sifter 50 

To repairing cradle 50 

To one coffin 2. 50 

To work on sugar mill 2 . 50 

To work on saw 40 

Credit acct., two sides leather G . 12 

L. L. Ward^ 
To work on wagon 1 . 00 

N . H. Johnson — 

Repairing fiddle $0 . 75 

A. Bishop — 
To making one set buggy wheels 30 . 00 

NAMES THAT APPEAR ON ACCOUNT BOOK. 

Thomas Isbell, John Reagan, Sam Woody, Peter Whitsel, John 
Brown, Dr. Bowman, Wm. Perrin, Madison Walker, J. C. 
Paschal, John Mann, G. I. Webb, M. P. Paschal, Smith McCall, 
R. W. Boyd, T. J. Prunty, Louis Pavillard, John Teague, Austin 
Dill, George Guinn, Mary Russell, Mary McCright, C. J. Browder, 
Thomas Crider, Benjamin Cloier, John Thetford, John Taylor, 
G. B. S. Crews, Joseph Hood, Samuel Gibbs, Jas. Looty, A. H. 
Reagan, Jess Standifer, Jas. Mann, Crews & Hardwick, W. S. 
Gates, Jas. Rucker, John W. Prunty, Thomas Rodman, Garner 
Bird well, John Tyler, Barkley Bradfortl, George Bird well, G. W. 
Belcher, Andy Scroggins, Silas Rogers, W". C. Bloomer, Whit 
Fain, Dr. Knight, Kenneth Bain, Ephram Locks, L. Hancock, 
James Tarkington, Rev. Witham, John Boyd, C. P. Jones, 
Milton Holmes, R. B. Walker, A. Birk, Wm. Lipsey, Joshua 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 407 

King, Jas. Broadstreet, Jas. Witten, Harvey Pesterfield, N. R. 
Etter, Benjamin Lewelyn, Nathan Sweet, Jas. Burton, Galley 
Stevens, L. L. Ward, J. B. Riddle, Earny Cutner, J. A. Gilley, 
J. L. McCall, W. W. Britt, Lycurgus Smith, Wm. Bradford, 
W. W. 0. Standfield, Frederick Mershon, Chas. Nichols, Henry 
Bramlett, A. Bishop. 



REGISTRATION AT THE OLD SETTLERS REUNIONS. 



Upon the occasion of the Old Settlers' Reunions, hekl each 
summer in Joe Wheeler's Park, a book is kept for the registration 
of names of old settler guests. The following names, post 
offices and date of coming to Wise County, have been recorded: 

C. E. Brown, Bridgeport 1855 

J. J. Woody, Ft. Worth 1862 

Wm. Perrin, Dickens 1854 

Mrs. E. P. Killough, Hobart, Ok 1871 



SAM MCMILLAN 

BARBER at Hecks old Stand 

SOUTH SIDE OF SQUARE 



ATERS to the barbering trade of Decatur and com- 
munity, proposing always to perform high class 
work at usual prices. Prompt and courteous treatment 
to all. Let McMillan do your shaving, haircutting, 
shampooing, etc., and depend on him and his. capable 
assistants to do the work easily, smoothly and stylishly. 



408 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



REGISTRATION AT THE OLD SETTLERS REUNIONS. — CON T 

Mrs. S. J. Standifer, Rocky, Ok 1871 

R. A. Rieger, Decatur 1873 

J. A. Proctor, Bridgeport 1854 

Mrs. T. J. McMurray, Decatur 1860 

Mrs. E. C. Terrell, Decatur 1854 

Mrs. Savilla Young, Decatur 1860 

Mrs. Jennie Perrin, Decatur 1860 

Mrs. A. S. Badger, Decatur 1870 

Mrs. Eliza Badger, Decatur 1856 

T. V. Myers, Alvord 1869 

Mrs. T. V. Myers, Alvord 1865 

D. S. Hunt, Paradise 1881 

W. M. Gates, Duncan, Ok 1865 

Felix Gose, Decatur 1862 

G. A. Andrews, Decatur 1861 

J. G. Stevens, Decatur 1856 

J. C. Gose, Krum 1861 

Mrs. J, C. Gose, Krum 1880 

W. F. Perrin, Sayers, Ok 1854 

G. W. Perrin, Tulsa, Ok 1854 

Mrs. C. C. Burton, Decatur 1876 

N. R. Etter, Decatur 1866 

Mrs. N. R. Etter, Decatur 1866 

J. F. Parsons, Blanket 1866 

B. E. Kincannon, Boonville 1855 

C. F. Kincannon, Paradise 1855 

J. P. Parsons, Brown wood .' 1860 

N. J. Parsons, Alvord 1860 

J. S. Parsons, Blanket 1860 

G. W. Knight, Rhome 

J. E. Ross, Bovd 1873 . 

G. H. O'Neal, Alvord 1873 

J. H. Stokes, Decatur 1870 

Elijah Roberts, Decatur ' 1857 

Jim Burton, Decatur 1862 

J. C. Dickinson, Decatur 1880 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 409 



W. T. WAGGONER, President 

T. B. YARBROUGH, V.-President 
W. L. RUSH, Cashier 

E. P. GIBSON, Asst. Cashier 

J. A. SIMMONS, Asst. Cashier 



Organized 1883 Number 2940 

FIRST 

NATIONAL 

BANK 

decatur, texas 

Capital - - $50,00000 
Surplus Fund - - 50,000.00 



DIRECTORS 

W. T. WAGGONER T. B. YARBROUGH 

MRS. SICILY A.WAGGONER SAM BELLAH 

J. P. HAYTER 



One of Wise County's Oldest and Strongest Institutions. 
Banking facilities of all kinds afforded 



410 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

REGISTRATION AT THE OLD SETTLERS REUNIONS. — CON't 

W. N. Holm, Newark 1859 

Tom Geary, Newark 18G0 

Harris Andrews, Little Elm 1861 

J. R. Andrews, Grady, Ok 1801 

J. N. Bogg, — 1875 

J. E.. McCraw, Newark 1875 

C. Kincannon, Paradise 1875 

C. C. Burton, Decatur 1862 

W. P. Gilliland, Bridgeport 1860 

S. L. Atkins, Boyd 1869 

Mrs. S. A. Knight, Boyd 1858 

Mrs. J. D. White, Decatur 1855 

Mrs. John Waggoner, Decatur 1855 

Mrs. Mary F. Gose, Decatur 1862 

J. M. Burton, Decatur 1862 

H. T..Boyd, Boyd 1859 

Mrs. Mary Browder, Luna, Ok 1862 

James Perrin, Decatur 1854 

M. L. Crenshaw, Decatur 1871 

P. D. Gates, Duncan, Ok 1867 

J. L. Ward, Waco 1866 

Mrs. M. L. Crenshaw, Decatur 1871 

Chas. Hardwick, Decatur 1872 

Mrs. Chas. D. Gates, Decatur 1855 

Mrs. Mary E. Hale, Decatur 1855 

H. H. Huff, Bowie 1855 

C. G. Leonard, Rhome 1860 

Mrs. M. J. Leonard, Rhome 185(5 

Mrs. M. L. Huff, Bowie 18()1 

J. D. Manning, Chico 1869 

Mrs. Orey Arringlon, Boyd 1869 

M. Burris, Lindon, Ok 1855 

J. P. Fullingim, Decatur.' 1860 

Mrs. W. M. Rhodes, Decatur 1857 

M. H. Cook, Decatur 1856 

T. AV. Prunty, Boyd 1865 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 



411 





NATIONAL 

BANK 

OF 

I DECATUR 

TEXAS 



CAPITAL STOCK, $60,000.00! 
SURPLUS, $25,000.00! 




Capably and Efficiently 
Managed 

A Secure Place for 
Deposits 

Prompt and Courteous 
Attention Given to 
Patrons 




412 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

REGISTRATION AT THE OLD SETTLERS REUNIONS. — CON't 

J. A. Watson, Decatur. . .• 1856 

Mrs J. A. Watson, Decatur 1869 

W. L. Calhoun, Rhonesboro, Tex 1855 

T. Perrin, Decatur 1854 

T. J. Waggoner, Wichita Falls 1861 

W. D. Paschall, Decatur 1857 

C. A. Cartwright, Decatur 1854 

J. E. Boyett, Chico 1883 

H. R. Fullingim, Decatur 1865 

G. B. Pickett, Decatur 1854 

W. J. Mann, Paradise 1854 

T. E. Miller, Paradise 1854 

C. H. Miller, Decatur 1860 

J. H. Wallace, Decatur 1857 

W. P. Russell, Decatur 1856 

Mrs. M. E. Blewett, Decatur 1861 

J. K. Reed, Paradise 1859 

C. L. Smith, Decatur 1857 

W. A. King, Decatur 1854 

Mrs. M. J. Jarrell, Decatur 1854 

G. W. Mann, Balsora 1857 

T. L. Jennings, Alvord 1855 

W. H. Jennings, Alvord 1855 

Mrs. S. E. Holmes, Decatur 1862 

Mrs. F. M. Holmes, Decatur 1864 

Levi Swinford, Saginaw 1859 

J. D. White, Decatur 1856 

Mrs. M. A. Harding, Decatur 1859 

Mrs. D. P. Newsome, Boonsville 1857 

D. P. Newsome, Boonsville 1872 

C. I. Crockett, Hastings, Ok 

S. J. B. Walker, Bridgeport 1878 

O. S. Lattimore, Ft. Worth 1881 

S. A. Lillard, Decatur 1882 

J. A. Renshaw, Decatur 1859 

Rufus Booth, Chico ; 1859 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 413 



J. A. EMBRY 


C. H. KNOX r. F. FORD 


Embry^ 


Knox 


& Ford 


PHYSICIANS and 


SURGEONS 


DECATUR 


- 


- - TEXAS 



REGISTRATION AT THE OLD SETTLERS REUNIONS. — CON T 

J. T. Beatty, Alvord 1876 

D. S. Shaw, Rhome 1870 

Jasper Lynch, Paradise 1876 

Mrs. Jasper Lynch, Paradise 1876 

N. Runnells, Greenwood 1874 

J. R. Davenport, Decatur 1876 

H. E. Brady, Decatur 1867 

C. C. Thompson, Decatur 1858 

Mrs. C. C. Thompson, Decatur 1868 

John J. Terrell, Austin 1857 

J. A. Vandiver, Greenwood 1871 

Mrs. D. H. Payne, Decatur 1870 

Mrs. L. Renshaw, Decatur 1859 

Mrs. S. A. Lillaj-d, Decatur 1866 

Dr. D. H. Payne, Decatur 1889 

R. F. Goode, Bridgeport 1882 

H. J. Owen, Hill Co 1855 



414 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

REGISTRATION AT THE OLD SETTLERS REUNIONS. — CON't 

C. B. Ball, Nogal 1854 

Mrs. C. B. Ball, Nogal 1855 

B. F. Helm, Decatur 1859 

J. W. Balthrop, Slidell 1877 

J. W. Wood, Paradise 1866 

T. W. Rowlett, Alvord 1874 

G. D. Howell, Decatur 1869 

L. Renshaw, Decatur 1859 

R. W. Nobles, Decatur 1874 

D. M. Watson, Decatur 

B. C. Huddleston, Paradise 1879 

Mrs. Kate Hunt Craddock, Tern^ll 1855 

L. D. Farrington, Audubon 1873 

E. T. Barnett, Paradise 1879 

C. C. Clifton, Greenwood : 1875 

J. G. Gose, Decatur 1860 

S. M. Gose, Decatur. , 1870 

A. D. Dill, Decatur 1854 

D. F. George, Bowie 1873 

Mrs. L. P. Terrell, Decatur 1862 

W. A. Fullingim, Snyder, Ok 1860 

Love Watson, Decatur 1871 

Mrs, Love Watson, Decatur 1871 

J. Y. Jones, Decatur 1871 

Geo. French, Decatur 1871 

Bunch Fullingim, Snyder. Ok 1873 

J. H. Tadlock, Chico 1876 

C. W. Stevens, Chico 1877 

J. E. Finley, Bowie 1870 

Mrs. Lizzie Renshaw, Decatur 1854 

Mrs. Mary Gose Waggoner, Decatur 1865 

Mrs. Maggie Gose Harvey, Alvord 1865 

W. C. Weatherby, Decatur 1856 

Mrs. Sallie Bradshaw, Decatur 1856 

Mrs. Julia F. Halsell, Decatur 1856 

J. W. Cartwrio-ht, Amarillo 1854 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 41i 



REGISTRATION AT THE OLD SETTLERS REUNIONS. — CON't 

L. Owen 1880 

L. B. Renshaw, Decatur 1876 

C. C. Mitchum, Decatur 1884 

A. J. Mann, Decatur 1858 

W. H. Brown, Decatur, 1873 

J. C. Hines, Decatur 1874 

J. H. Brown, Decatur 1873 

Mrs. A. J. Mann, Decatur 1871 

R. P. Bonnifield 1876 

Mrs. C. E. Brown 1879 

D. W. McCright •. . . i860 

T. A. Banks ' 1863 

B. F. Majors 1872 



C. B. SIMMONS L. H. REEVES 



2)v8, Simmons &. IReeves 



OFFICE OVER FIRST NATL. BANK 



DECATUR, TEXAS 



416 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY, 



SURVIVING WISE COUNTY PIONEER. 

(the following BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH WAS PREPARED FOR THE 
" PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY." 



EX-COUNTY TREASURER BRAWLEY H. GATES, 
OF m'kINNEY, TEXAS. 

The above is the picture of Brawley H. Oates, of McKinney, 
Texas, former county treasurer of Collin County, and one of 

Wise County's earliest sett- 
lers still surviving. 

Mr. Oates was born in 
Murray County, Georgia, 
April ^4, 1839. Came to 
Texas in 1844 with his 
father, who made his home 
in Cass County for ten 
years, when he moved to 
Cooke Territory, now Wise 
County, in the fall of 1854. 
Mr. Oates was then only 
fifteen years of age when 
his father removed to what 
is now Wise County, and 
camped in a post oak 
grove. Logs were . cut and 
speedily erected into a log 
house, covered with clap- 
boards riven by their own 
hands and floored with 
pun('h(X)ns h(nvn from logs 
with an axe instead of lumber sawed smoothly with the later 
mported and more modern saw mill. Not a nail was used in 
Mie house. This early pioneer log home contained only one 
toom, which answeretl for all purposes of its sturdy occupants — 
r 




BRAWLEY OATES. 



ADVERTISEMENTS 417 



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WE represent a number of the Oldest and Best insur- 
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it will be safely protected. 

We insure everything, Mercantile Stocks and Build- 
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Buildings, Gins, Mills and Elevators against loss by fire, 
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We write Life and Live Stock Insurance. We want 
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pay you. 

BOYD & RAGSDALE :: decatur, texas 



kitchen, dining room, bedroom and parlor. The next building 
to go up was a log pen used as a smokehouse and storage room. 

The elder Oates had brought to Wise County, with his family 
and few other effects, forty head or razor back hogs. These 
hardy swine of a then common variety, but now an almost ex- 
tinct species of hogs, ranged at will among the post oaks, and 
by the month of February were fat enough for fine meat without 
having been fed a grain of corn. Hunting was the chief occupa- 
tion of young Mr. Oates, who indulged his skill both for the in- 
herent love of the sport and from stern necessity to assist his 
parents in providing for a large and growing family. Deer, 
antelope and wild turkey abounded. Soon Brawley was sent to 
Collin County with an ox-team for bread-stuff, as there was then 
no grist mill closer than McKinney. In emergencies, Mr. Oates' 
father had a little " Armstrong" steel mill fastened up on a 
sapling by which small quantities of meal could be ground in the 
same manner that coffee is ground in the old-fashioned coffee 
mill. The pantry once supplied with the product of this crude 
mill, his mother was then prepared in style for baking the famous 

27 



418 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

"Johnny Cake," upon which many a canthdato, who had to 
travel a wide and sparsely settled scope of country, appeased his 
hunger, and around the festal board of the ever hospitable Gates' 
home, he swapped jokes with the host as they partook of their 
frugal meal. Among the candidates who visited his father's 
home in quest of votes in those early days, Mr. Gates now recalls 
the names of Judge Everts, Billy Weaver, and others. This 
judicial district then spread out from Lamar and Hopkins 
Counties on the east to the wild Indian habitations on the west 
of Wise and which territory included Wise County. Among the 
early settlers of Wise County, Mr. Gates recalls the names of 
Ben B. Haney, his brother-in-law, who is reputed to have been 
the first actual white settler of Wise County; Sam Woody, 
Tom McCarroll, Ben Crews, W. S. Gates, his father, and others. 

His recollection of the first officers of the county is: W. S. 
Gates, chief justice, corresponding to our present office of county 
judge; W. W. Brady, county clerk; Granger Salmon, district 
clerk; Ben Earp, sheriff; Ben B. Haney, commissioner; John 
Hale, surveyor; Col. Abb Bishop, representative. J. D. ^^^lite 
and Joe Henry Martin were also among the first set of Wise 
County officers. Gen Gaines was then the only practising 
lawyer who lived in Wise County. 

In those early days Wise County was considered the extreme 
western Texas frontier and depended largely for protection from 
the marauding bands of Comanche Indians upon the Texas 
Rangers. Young Brawley Gates naturally turned to the Ranger 
service in the vigor of his youth and love for the saddle, the gun 
and adventure. He was a fine shot, skilled in woodcraft, and a 
crafty scout. His first experience as a ranger was under " Black 
Doc " Stewart. His next service was in the Wise County State 
Rangers, which company organized at old Prairie Point, now 
Rhome, Texas, the oldest town in Wise County. The company 
was made up of a captain, two lieutenants and forty-five enlisted 
men. Ben Earp was captain, Ben Crews first lieutenant, and the 
subject of this sketch second lieutenant. Each officer was 
supposed to take fifteen men out to rang(> at a time. These 
scouting parties were usually out from ten to twenty days at a 
time. However, as Lieutenant Gates was the only single man 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 419 

The RED STORE 

Decatur Texas 

DRY GOODS 
CLOTHING 
and SHOES 



THE popularity of this store is easily explained when we tell 
you our business methods. 

We buy for fifteen big cash stores and pay cash for all our goods, 
and buying in such quantities and paying cash we secure low 
prices that cannot be secured by smaller stores. 

We in turn sell for cash, and as we buy our goods cheaper and run 
no risks whatever, we can afford and do sell cheaper than 
credit stores who have to charge larger profits in order to 
make up for their credit losses. 

If you live a considerable distance it will mean a big saving to 
you to come to Decatur and buy your large bills from us. 
We constantly receive new and up-to-date goods and keep a 
good assortment, and our prices are always the lowest. 

^ SPOT CASH 

ONE PRICE TO ALL. COURTEOUS TREATMENT. 

J.J.PERKINS, - DECATUR, TEX. PERKINS BROS., KAUFMAN.TEX 

Perkins Dry Goods Co., Sulphur Spgs., Tex. Perkins Bros. - - Commerce, Tex 

Perkins Dry Goods Co., Vernon, Tex. Perkins Bros. - - - Athens, Tex 

Perkins Bros. & Co., Jacksboro, Tex. Perkins Bros. - - Greenville, Tex 

Perkins Bros. & Co. - - Quanah, Tex. Perkins Dry Goods Co., Winsboro, Tex 

Perkins Bros. & Co. - - Altus, Okla. Perkins Dry Goods Co., Terrell, Tex 

Perkins Bros. - - - - Gilmer, Tex. Perkins Dry Goods Co., Alvarado, Tex 
S. B. Perkins Co., Denton, Tex 



420 PIONEER HISTOKY OF AVISE COUNTY. 

of three officers, he frequently volunteered to take the turn of 
the other officers who could then remain at home with their 
families more. He continued in the ranger service until the 
breaking out of the great Civil War, when he enlisted in the 
Confederacy. In the rising passions culminating in that great 
■conflict between the states, the ranger service seemed entirely 
too tame for the gallant lieutenant, who, with other Wise County 
comrades, went over to Denton and enlisted in Co. A, 14th Texas 
Cavalry. Company A marched to Dallas, thence with its regi- 
ment to Little Rock, Arkansas, where they dismounted. Went 
down Arkansas river by boat to its mouth, thence up the Father 
of Waters to Memphis, where they took the cars en-route to 
Corinth, with Shiloh as their ultimate destination, ^^^ile en- 
route, the engineer, the only railroader on the train, and who 
also proved to be a Yankee sympathizer, wrecked the train by 
throwing open the throttle on top of a long grade, then stepping 
off the tender and sending his train, heavil}- loaded with its 
human freight, on a wild five-mile dash down a grade and crash- 
ing into a preceding train. Both trains were wrecked and a 
number of lives were sacrificed. Mr. Gates held a lieutenant's 
conmiission. After some fighting and skirmishing around 
Corinth, Lieutenant Gates took seriously sick and was sent 
home. It was nearly a year before he recovered his shattered 
health, and then again he re-entered the ranks of the Rangers 
■on the West Texas frontier and did valiant service in protecting 
the women, children and homes of the absent confederate 
soldiers from harm b}' the lawless elements, as well as the Indians, 
naturally infesting a new and wild country like West Texas in 
that turbulent period of civil strife. As late as the fall of 18G5, 
Indians killed a man within a mile of Lieut. Gates' home, by the 
name of Parson Moffitt. About the same time they killed another 
man named Smith four or five miles further on. The latter 
victim and a companion were en route to Weatherford, and 
stopped at the home of Dave Reed, father of Mrs. Brawley 
Oates, and ate dinner. That evening Smith was killed by the 
Indians and his companion wounded by an arrow in the face. 
The wounded man turned back, next day again ate dinner at 



advertis?:ments. 421 



Cicero Smitb 
Xiimber Co. 

2?ecatur, Uexas 






Headquarters for 



Building 
Materials 



of All Kinds 



M 



OUR MOTTO 

Good Grades, Moderate Prices and Courteous Treatement 

Let us Figure on your Lumber Bill 



422 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

the home of Mrs. Oates' parents, and in a few days also died from 
blood poisoning resulting from his wound. 

Brawley H. Oates and Miss Manerva Reed were married at 
Old Prairie Point, November 11, 1863. Mrs. Reed's parents 
settled in Wise County three or four years after the Oates family 
came there. In 1866, Mr. and Mrs. Oates, in company with the 
latter's parents and brother-in-law. Bob Gaston, all moved to 
Collin County, which has since been their home. After coming 
to Collin, Mr. Oates lived near Lucas for ten years and then 
moved to McKinney, living at his present home for more than 
thirty-one years. 

In 1883 Mr. Oates was elected city marshal of McKinney, and 
later served as deputy sheriff under Sheriffs Scott Phillips and 
J. L. Moulden. He was a brave, conscientious and fearless 
officer. It was while deputy under Sheriff" Moulden that Mr. 
Oates came near receiving a fatal wound while in the discharge 
of his official duty. On March 21, 1893, while endeavoring to 
effect the capture of Will Hobbs, wanted for the murder of the 
Sheriff of Cock County, Tennessee, who had fled to Texas, the 
desperado shot Deputy Oates in the thigh and wounded him 
so severely that he has since been almost a helpless cripple. The 
following year, Mr. Oates was elected county treasurer of Collin 
County, the duties of which position of trust and honor he filk^l 
with efficiency and fidelity to the county and his constituency. 

The children of Mr. and'Mrs. Oates are: Mrs. A. S. Bullock, 
of Haskell; Will D. and Ben H. Oates, both of McKinney; Mrs. 
C. D. Hayes, of Wylie; H. D. Oates, of Oklahoma City; Com. 
Oates of San Antonio, Reed Oates, Misses Frankie and Ruby, 
all still living at home with their parents. 

Parents of Brawley Oates. 

William Sloan Oates, father of the subject of this sketch, was 
born in Lincoln County, North Carolina, in the year 1833. 
Married Miss Sarah Smith in 1823. Movetl to Georgia in 1823 
and to Texas in 1844, as above stated, living in Cass County for 
ten years, then moving to Wise County in 1854. He settled in 
the southeastern portion of \Mse C'ounty within a mije and a half 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 



423 



NORTHERN 
TEXAS 
TRACTION CO 



The Great Electric Line 
Operating Forty Fast 
Clean Electric Cars 
Daily Between 



FORT WORTH 



AND 



DALLAS 



These cars always depart and arrive 
on schedule time. Pass all the leading 
Hotels and Depots in both Cities and 
make all connections. 
Cars leave Fort Worth and Dallas 
every hour, and on the hour from 6 
A. M. to 11 P. M. included. 



LOW RATES 
QUICK TIME 

NO DUST 
SMOKE 
CINDERS 



Questioning your privilege, answering 
our delight; and for further information 
address 

W. C. FORBESS 

General Passenger Agent 
FORT WORTH, TEXAS 



Note: — The Record Special leaves Fort Worth at 4;20 A. M., arrives 
at Dallas at 5:20 A. M., making all steam road connections out 
of Dallas. 



424 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

of the present town of Rhome. He settled on a stream of water 
that is still known as Oates' Branch, a tributary to the West 
Fork of Trinity River. W. S. Oates was an old line democrat. 
He served several terms as sheriff of Murray County, Georgia. 
Served two terms as justice of the peace in Cass County, Texas, 
and was the first chief justice or county judge of Wise County. 
He was a farmer and stock raiser by occupation, and a staunch 
member of the Baptist Church. In the fall of 1864, he moved 
to Limestone County. He died in 1877 at Mt. Calm, Hill County, 
at the age of 74, and lies buried by the side of his wife in Mt. 
Calm cemetery. 



PIONEER LIFE IN WISE COUNTY. 



BY JOHN E. BOYD, DECATUR. 

According to the best information at hand, the first settle- 
ments in Wise County by white men, were made in the year 1854. 
It was somewhere near this period of the county's history, so says 
tradition, that L^ncle Sam Woody was discovered running wild 
upon the head waters of Deep Creek. Prior to this date, so far 
as is known, the country only served as a rendezvous for wild 
beasts, and a hunting ground for the uncivilized Comanche 
Indians. The Indian resented the encroachments of the white 
man upon his domain, and strongly protested against it, but 
without avail. Because of his wild and savage nature, he was 
doomed to be relegated to a more remote and less attractive 
territory for his hunting ground, and surrender this fair land 
to a more civilized and progressive people, who would pride 
themselves in the development of its latent resources, and make 
it blossom as the rose. 

As a result of the white man's venture in the West, the Indian 
became very hostile and warlike, and declared vengeance 
against him. The problem of life and a livlihood on the frontier 
became a serious one, because of the dangers and privations 
that confronted the settlers. While the gro^\1:h and develop- 
ment of the country was yet in its infancy, the war between the 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 



425 



The Oldest Settler 

cannot remember -of ever having seen 
or heard of a more convenient, safe 
and economical method of carrying 
funds than by Wells Fargo & Go's 
self- identifying Travelers Money Orders. 
The Orders are paid in all countries 
of the World without identification, 
and if lost or stolen the amount is 
refunded. For information apply to 

Wells Fargo & Company 





426 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

states broke out, greatly retarding the progress of the pioneers, 
and adding much to their ah'eady uncomfortable situation. 
But they were brave, and loyal to their purpose, and were not 
to be daunted by any such obstacles. Less courageous hearts 
would have fainted and given up the fight. For many years the 
country was subject to periodical raids from these bloody-handed 
Comanches, and they came among us for the specific purpose 
of pillage, plunder and murder, often destroying property, such 
as they could not convey out of the country. At such times 
excitement often ran to a fever heat among the people. Tho 
child as I was, well do I remember the thrill of horror that came 
over me when the warning word: " The Indians are in," was 
hurriedly passed from neighbor to ncughbor. When it was 
known that they were skulking in the country, it was a custom 
of the settlers to conceal their best horses at night in a near-by 
thicket to prevent them from being killed or stolen. But these 
sturdy heroes — for such they were, as truly as were Bowie and 
Travis of Alamo fame — counted themselves equal to any emer- 
gency. With their trusty rifle ever by their side, they stood 
their ground and bravely defended their country and their 
homes, even to the laying down of life itself. Many were the 
instances where the humble pioneer fell victim to the treachery 
of these heartless savages, the most noted of which were the 
Huff and Babb families, who were butchered and murdered in 
their homes as though they were so many wild beasts. 

On occasions when the Indians were thus raiding the country, 
the settlers would often band together, a])point a leader, and 
go in pursuit of them, recover their stolen property, and chase 
the marauders out of the country. Captains George Stevens 
and Ira Long were the most i)rominent among such leaders, and 
in this way Hindered their country an invaluable service. 

These early settlers knew nothing of the comforts and con- 
veniences that favored the long settled and well established 
countries. There were just a few squatters nestling here and 
there in their improvised shelters, caring for their flocks and 
herds, and in a small way, tilling the soil with such crude imple- 
ments as were at hand. In this th(>y were laying well (doubtless 
better than they knew) the foundation for their future homes. 



ADVERTISEMENTS . 



427 




OKTMIT 



^nh 




is our business and has been now for twenty-five years 
past. We have always taken a deep interest in our busi- 
ness and endeavored to keep abreast of the times and 
advancement in our Hne. 

If you want a picture frame come to us, for we have 
them from 15 cents to $5.00 each. A 16x20 frame and 
glass as low as 65 cents. 

If you want a photo of yourself or family come to 
us, for we have photos from 6 for 50 cents to |18.00 a 
dozen. 

If you want a picture copied or enlarged bring 
it to us, for we make you an enlarged portrait from 
|1.50 for 16x20 and up. Pass these picture agents up, 
for we guarantee to give you better work and save you 
money. Our work in Black and White or in colors for 
same money. 



YOURS 



FOR 



SATISFACTION 



Studios 



Bu99(?ll f{rt Co. 



DECATUR and THURBER, TEXAS 



P. S. — If we can't please you, then you can't be pleased. 



428 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

and obeying that scriptural injunction to earn their bread by 
the sweat of their brow. 

It was hundreds of miles to the terminus of the nearest rail- 
road headed this way. Jefferson, Texas, and Shreveport, La., 
were our nearest markets, and our only means for the transporta- 
tion of the products of the country to these markets for exchange, 
was by way of the old time ox wagon. This means was neces- 
sarily slow and tedious. There were no bridges over the streams 
of our country, and the freighter or traveler was often subject 
to vexatious delays because of swollen streams. It frequently 
required months to complete such trips to market and return. 
These freight wagons were often drawn by as many as from 
six to eight yoke of oxen. 

It is said that we now have three systems for the rapid trans- 
mission of news over the country — ^the telegraph, telephone 
and tel-a- woman, all of which have proven very efficient methods. 

The latter, however, was the only one of these three systems in 
use in pioneer days, the telegraph and telepohne being almost 
unheard of, and a thing incredible. 

The cooking stove and sewing machine, now considered in- 
dispensible adjuncts to the well equipped modern home, was 
wholly unknown to the pioneer housewife. The corn cake and 
pumpkin pies, the hog and hominy, were baked in ovens around 
the family fireside. The sewing was necessarily by hand with 
the ordinar}^ needle. 

Where we now have coal oil lamps, electric lights, etc., to 
illuminate our homes at night, the tallow candle or platted 
string with one end in a cup of grease, furnished the light for the 
occupant of the pioneer cabin. Matches were a rare convenience. 
Often the settlers were compelled to resort to the flint rock, 
powder and cotton method of striking fire. 

Of the pantry supplies, sugar and coffee were two items that 
were often short for months at a time. Sugar in our coffee was 
a luxury in which we rarely ever indulged. Occasionally on 
Sunday mornings our mothers would so indulge us. ^^'^len 
coffee could not be obtained, roasted wheat was the favorite 
substitute. 

These early Wise Countyans were an industrious, frugal, 



ADVERTISEMENTS . 



429 




We make the following brands: "OUR BEST," "SATIN" 
and "RED STAR," in extra high patent. Our high 
patent brands are: "PEARL" and "BLUE BAND." No 
flour yields such pure, sweet, appetizing rolls, bread and 
biscuits as the flours made in our mill. It is made from 
the choicest all soft wheat by a special process that in- 
sures the retention of the gluten and phosphates— the 
real nutriments of the wheat. Makes more and better 
bread than any other flour. 

Try our "RED ROOSTER" mixed feed. Blended in 
uniformly exact proportions for stock and dairy use. 
Blended so perfectly that the full benefit of each grade of 
feed in just the right proportion is obtained, and better 
than is possible if mixed by hand. Red Rooster feed 
produces rich milk. 

Moore Milling Co. 

Decatur, Texas 



^^^ 
^ 






430 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

common-sense people ; plain and simple in their manner of dress, 
neatness and comfort being the purpose in view, with no effort 
at show or display. Theirs was a day of linsey dresses for the 
women and girls; homespun jeans for the men, hickory shirts 
and copperas breeches for the boys — the breeches often being 
conspicuous by their absence with the boys. These materials 
were the products of the old-fashioned loom and spinning wheel 
so much in vogue during and after the war, and their quaUty 
demonstrated beyond question the skill and industry of our 
mothers and sisters in manipulating these machines, and in 
providing for the necessities of the home. 

Brogan shoes, manufactured by our fathers on rainy days, 
were our principal foot wear, and a coon skin cap or other home- 
made article often ornamented the other extremity of our 
anatomy. 

In the absence of schools or colleges of importance, the educa- 
tion of the people was necessarily limited, and of a primary 
character. The public school system had not yet been inaugu- 
rated, and the arts and sciences found no place in the curriculum 
of the pioneer pedagogue. He usually graduated his pupils 
by teaching them to read, write and spell, and to work a few 
" sums " in arithmetic. A log cabin, with a puncheon floor, 
at some cross road, or perhaps a shanty constructed of our native 
oak lumber, sufficed for a school building. The seats were hewn 
out of logs, with pegs in each end to elevate to a proper height 
for comfortable sitting. The teacher rarely ever introduced 
the study of geography into his school, so it was seldom ever 
necessary to test him in advance of employment, as to whether 
he taught the " roimd or flat system " as to the shape of the 
earth, or whether he was sufficiently advanced as to be 'able to 
teach eith(>r or both systems, according to the wish of the patron. 
He was usually a very strict disciplinarian. His favorite modes 
of punishment were the free use of the dog wood switch, to place 
the offender astride the back of a bench, or to stand him up 
facing the wall, with his nose in a crack. On one occasion in a 
school where I attended, the last-named mode of punishment 
had been prescribed for a pupil who had transgressed the rules, 
and he was penitently serving out his sentence when he was 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 



431 



RUSSELL & DALLAS, Grocers 

Extend cheerful greetings to tlie citizens of Decatur and Wise County, in- 
vitine, them to call and inspect their mammoth stock of new and up-to-date 
groceiies. We guard the essentials of success. Treat you courteously, sell 
you honest goods at cheap prices, accord you the most liberal of treatment 
consistent with the survival of our business 



THE BEST BRANDS 
THE FRESHEST GOODS 



ALL THE STAPLES OF THE GROCERY LINE 
THE CHEAPEST PRICES 




RUSSELL & DALLAS — FIRM AND EMPLOYES. 

Bottom Row (left to right) — Louis M.Myer, FredH. Rea, W.L.Dallas, 
Glenn Russell. 



Top Row — J. N. Borum, E. A. Allen, Miss Mineola Harding, P. B. 
Montgomery, Chas. Stokes. 



432 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

obsen^d to suddenly withdraw his nose from the aperture in 
the wall. The teacher gruffly enquired: "Charley, why did 
you do that?" The humble reply was: " 'Fesser, I smelt a 
rat." The answer was satisfactory, and Charley was excused. 

A very important part of the education obtained in those days 
was of a practical nature, being acquired in the school of exper- 
rience, and well this kind of education serves its purpose, not 
only in pioneer days, but in all ages and under all circumstances, 
it is essential to success. The country being almost wholly 
dependent upon its own resources for the necessities of life, 
naturally developed within our fathers a spirit of industry, 
economy and independence. These characteristics were instilled 
into every fibre of their being, and became a part of their life. 
They were loyal to every interest of the country as they saw it, 
and vied with each other in their hospitality. The latch strings 
to their doors were always on the outside to the stranger or 
traveler, and they were careful to inculcate these wholesome 
principles upon the minds and hearts of their sons and daughters, 
many of whom are among us to-day, with their families and 
homes, filling places of usefulness and honor in the various walks 
of life. 

To be sure Wise County had its quota of " undesirable citizens." 
The drinker and gambler, the horse racer and debaucher, were 
among us to the detriment of the morals of the country. Being 
far removed from telegraphs and railroads, a few desperate 
characters, fugitives from justice, naturally drifted within our 
borders, but this character of citizen was the exception and not 
the rule. 

Digressing from the subject with the hope of getting a lesson 
that will be helpful to us all, and going back to the better element 
of our citizenship, the present generation would do well to study 
the customs and practices of these early settlers, and to imitate 
their good example in simple, unpretentious and economical 
living. If you have prospered and are living in ease and af- 
fluence, with a stately dwelling for your home; if you can ride 
in an automobile and sport a diamond ring, or tour the country 
in a palace car behind the lightning steam horse, don't allow 
yourself to become '' puffed up." Rather humble yourself and 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 433 

be grateful, remembering that it was the sacrifices made by our 
venerable fathers before us that laid the foundation for your 
prosperity. They were happy and contented in a humble cabin 
for their dwelling place, and when they went to market, or 
attended church on the Sabbath day to worship the God that 
■cared for and protected them through those perilous days, they 
were content to wend their way to such places in an ox wagon, 
and do we honor them less for their humble and simple life? It 
is no crime to be wealthy. On the contrary the duty devolves 
upon us to earn all the money we can by honorable and legitimate 
means. Money is a great power for good or for evil. Hence its 
accumulation brings with it great responsibilities. It therefore 
behooves us to be careful and considerate as to how we use the 
money the Lord has entrusted to our care, let it be much or little, 
for in the end we will be required to give an account of our 
stewardship. 

The pioneer preacher was early on the ground to minister to 
the spiritual needs of the country, and well he performed his 
unselfish labors. Wthout hope of rew^ard this side of eternity. 



Dr. D. H. Payne 



DENTIST 

DECATUR, TEXAS 



28 



434 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

he devoted his life to the cause of humanity-, calling men and 
women to a higher and better life, and admonishing them to 
flee the wrath to come, and prepare to meet their God in peace 
at the judgment, which is surely and swiftly coming to all 
mankind. Among the faithful in this class who deserve special 
mention are Uncle Billy Bratlford and W. J. Gregory. Of these 
noble characters, the latter still lingers with us, but is ripe for the 
harvest, while the former has gone to his reward, but '' their 
works do follow them." 

Now, as I close this connnunication, realizing that my task 
has been poorly performed, I take a retrospective view of the 
eventful past. For a few brief moments, in my imagination, I 
return to the place of my childhood home, where, with an un- 
broken family circle, I spent so many happy days beneath the 
parental roof. Where are the members of that beloved house- 
hold to-day? The nestlings have flown. Some of them, together 
with our venerable father, have gone the way of all the earth — 
to that land from whence no traveler returns. Our dear mother 
still lingers on this side of eternity's shores, waiting for the 
summons to " come up higher." As I view again those happy 
childhood scenes, and contemplate the many changes time has 
wrought, a sadness takes possession of my soul — a sadness 
almost akin to joy, if such be possible. Many of the faces so 
familiar to us in the long ago, we will behold no more. They 
have emigrated, let us hope, to a more congenial clime, where 
partings, afflictions and disappointments can never come. Their 
bodies are resting beneath the sod. Peace to their ashes. Joy 
to their departcnl spirits. 

To my friends who may chance to scan these lines, whether 
you be pioneer or otherwise, my experience here, doubtless finds 
its counterpart in your life. As a final word, I would invoke a 
heavenly benediction to rest upon you. May the choicest bless- 
ings of our All Wise Father abide with you, and let us give thanks 
unto Him to-day, that our lots were cast in a land of peace and 
plenty, and among such a great and good people, and that by His 
kind providence we are still sojourners on time's side of eternity. 
Encouraged by the progr(>ss already made, let us take up with 
renewed zeal the good work begun by our fathers under such 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 435 



Graduate from Kansas City 






Ten years in the practice 


JOHN 


V. 


PRUNTY 






Dentist 






All work guaranteed to give 
perfect satisfaction 






Office on South Side Sq. 
DECATUR, TEXAS 



unfavorable environments, and carry it on to its glorious con- 
summation. Let us stand uncompromisingly for the living 
principles that tend to build character and uplift humanity, 
remembering that we are builders, not only for time, but for 
eternity, and thus make Wise County an ideal place of abode, 
because of its morality, Christianity, and the consequent high 
character of its citizenship. For such is our mission upon the 
earth. 



DECATUR, WISE COUNTY, TEXAS. 

BELLE HUNT SHORTRIDGE. 
July 2,3, 1899. 

Once more to the big-hearted land of my birth, 

Once more to the valleys and hills. 
Once more to the mist on the blue mountain's peak, 

And the sound of the fresh flowing rills ! 



436 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY, 

Once more to the breezes, as soft as the Ups 

Of those that we love ! Once again 
To the kingdom of Nature, the Temple of God, 

Where freedom and fearlessness reign! 
0, blue peaks majestic, so near, yet so far. 

Up close to the warmth of God's smile. 
In the path of the stars, and the calm heavenly ways 

That the storm-tossed wanderer beguile! 
Oh, peaceful and restful thy solemn dim heights, 

With the sky bending over serene ! 
Oh, cooling and dewy thy shadowy side? 

With the deep flowing rivers between ! 
I long for a season of rest on thy heart; 

I yearn for a surcease of pain, 
Begot of the pitiful struggle of life, 

And the gall of ambition's rude chain. 
I want to climb up till my head is awhirl. 

And mj^ limbs are atreml^le and weak 
With the effort of climbing, and then to lie down 

And wait for an angel to seek 
And to find and comfort me, saying: " Sleep on. 

Wayward child of ambition. Be still, 
Drink the dews of forget fulness, lotus and ease; 

And the rest on this far-away hill." 
I am tired of philosophies, science and art ; 

I am sick to the soul of desire ; 
I want to be idle in body and mind. 

Never more to regret or aspire. 
I am tired of l^ooks and of people — so tired ! — 

And of church bells, and bonnets, and " calls " 
I want to do nothing more conventional 

Than a leaf when it withers and falls. 
I want to lie tlown in the lush, tcnider grass, 

^^lth my head on my arms, and my eyes 
Uplifted to nothingness, tranquil and vague, 

In the soft china l)lue of these skies. 
I want to count pebbles, hunt bird nests and flowers 

And wade in some rockv-bed stream; 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 437 

I want to do nothing for hours upon hours 

But vegetate, shunber and dream. 
Oh, life is a sorrowful thing at its best 

To those who are keen to its pain, 
Whose nerves are attuned to a sensitive key, 

To suffer and suffer again ; 
Never deaf to the sound of an every-day sigh. 

Never dull to the sight of a tear ; 
Awake to the deep undercurrent of woe 

That sobs in the century's ear, 
As the pilgrims of life tread the old beaten track, 

And are patient to stumble and fall 
By the wayside — or, what is more pitiful still. 

Never know that they stumble at all. 
But would we go back — we who suffer, but know - 

To the old bliss of ignorance? aye. 
To the dull, gross, bucolic, unthrilling, unmoved 

Unfeeling existence? Not I — 



h. H. 

Watches, 


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DE OF THE 

iBLic Square 


DECATUR, TEXAS 



438 



PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



Not you, fellow-thinker. "Better a worm, 

And feed on the mulberry leaves 
Of Daphne, than be a king's guest." So we part, 

So we gather up, sighing, life's sheaves, 
With the wheat and the tares intermingled therein. 

And holding them fast, trudge along. 
As purposeless, helpless, as fanciful, vague, 

As the gist of this fanciful song. 



The Following is a List of the Members of Capt. Ed. 
Blythe's Militia Company sent in Subsequent to 
Preparation of the Foregoing Material. 

(See page 122.) 

Jas. H. Morrison, 27. 
Green A. Miller, 23. 
McMaster, 18. 



Jas. Barberee, 24. 
W. A. H. Blackburn, 15. 
Herbert Bailey, 24. 
Jesse I. Bragg, 19. 
Robert Brady, 41. 
John N. Brady, 28. 

Reuben Earp, 15. 

Thomas J, Finley, 22. 
Edward C. Fullingim, 25- 
Y. F. Griffin, 19. 
Wm. Gage, 23. 
Henry Gorbett, 18. 

Don Alonzo Heath, 30. 
Johsua N. Harris, 20. 
J. T. Halsell, 25. 
Francis J. Hopkins, 22. 

Wm. Jackson, 21. 
Enos E. Jones, 35. 
F. R. Kyes, 33. 



Henry McNear, 23. 
Wm. W. Majors, — 



David Newman, 25. 
Shepherd Neal, 34. 

Isaac Routh, 17. 
WuL Rogers, 17. 
Thomas Rogers, 17. 

Geo. C. Spear, 34. 
Harrison Smith, 37. 
Drayton D. Shirey, 31. 
Wm. Stafford, 20. 

Jas. Sanders, . 

John P. Tate, 38. 

John B. Williams, 38. 
Miles Wilson, 19. 
Wm. H. Wilson, 24. 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 



439 



Local Surgeon 
Ft. Worth & Denver City Ry. 



J. J. INGRAM 



IPb^stcian an& Surgeon 



DECATUR, TEXAS 



MEMBERS OF CAPT. ED. BLYTHE S MILITIA COMPANY. — CON T 



Jas. H. Yarbrough, 35. 

Wm. M. Colclassier, 23. 
Daniel Cummins, 27. 

Wm. L. Gates, . 

Thos. H. Cousey, 19. 
Wm. M. Carroll, 23. 
Henry L. Collins, 17. 
Wm. R. Collins, 22. 
John Cummins, 23. 

Edward A. Blythe, captain, 
Robert C. Mount, 1st Lt. 



Joel B. Head, 2d Lt.. 24. 
Robert Earp, 3d Lt., 40. 

Reuben Kelley, 1st Sergt., 44. 
W. M. Standridge, 2d Sergt., 31. 
Monroe E. Matthis, 3d Serg-t., 29. 
Jeremiah Gage, 4th Sergt-., 46. 
Jas. M. Adkins, 5th Sergt., 30. 

John T. Waggoner, 1st Corp, 31. 
Thos. King, 2d Corp, 29. 
Wm. C. McCowan, 3d Corp, 37. 
32. Benj. P. Russell, 4th Corp, 33. 
Jas. N. Harris, bugler, 25. 



440 PIOXEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY 



LIST OF SUCCEEDING COUNTY OFFICIALS. 

A partial list of succeeding County Officials, beginning with 
December 3rd, 1869, as indicated by records in Department of 
State, Austin. List obtained through courtesy of Hon. John J, 
Terrell, Commissioner of General Land Office, Austin. 

(See first chapters for earliest officials.) 

Granger Salmon : District Clerk. 

G.W.Stevens Sheriff. 

T. L. Stanfield Surveyor. 

Neri Hobson Treasurer. 

J. J. Boyd Registrar. 

Neri Hobson 1 

R. T. Rieger > Board of Appeals. 

M. P. Ball J 

W. J. Brown ^ Registrar, August 24th, 1871. 

R.T. Rieger 

Sewell Brown 

J.J.Boyd 

G. A. Miller 

R. M. Collins Co. Treasurer, Nov. 8, 1872. 

A. G. Crowell Surveyor. 

R. G. Gates Sheriff, December 2, 1873. 

S. M. Gose J. P. Free. No. 1, Dec. 2, 1873. 

T. R. Allen J. P. Free. No. 2, Dec. 2, 1873. 

C. C. Leonard J. P. Free. No. 5, Dec. 2, 1873. 

P. P. R. Collom Surveyor. 



Board of Appeals, 1872. 



February 15, 1876. 

J. W. Patterson County Judge. 

W. W. Brady County Clerk. 

J. W. Colb(>rt District Clerk. 

Lee Newton County Attorney. 

W. A. Anderson County Treasurer. 

A. Devereux County Surveyor. 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 441 



1884-1908 

J. Q. QOSE, S. M. QOSE, 

Attorney At Law. Notary Public. 



G05E BROS. 

Attorneys At Law, 

Real Estate, 
Loan and Investment Agents. 



Complete set of abstracts of all titles to Wise County 
land in office. Abstracts of titles furnished on short 
notice, Loans negotiated on real estate security on long 
time and low rate of interest, vendors lien notes bought 
and sold, deeds, mortgages, contracts, liens and other 
legal papers prepared on short notice. 

Special attention given to the investigation of land 
titles and probate matters. 



442 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY, 



LIST OF SUCCEEDING COUNTY OFFICIALS. — CON T 

G. W. Stevens Sheriff and Collector of Taxes 

J. W. Hogg Assessor of Taxes. 

Lute Renshaw Inspector Hides and Animals. 

J. D. White Co. Commissioner, Prec. No. 1. 

C. J. Vanmeter Co. Commissioner, Prec. No. 2. 

Wm. Mershon Co. Commissioner, Prec. No. 3. 

E. L. Hodges Co. Commissioner, Prec. No. 4. 

James Scarborough J. P. Prec. No. 1. 

E. Farrington J. P. Prec. No. 2. 

Adam Johnson J. P. Prec. No. 3. 

B. F. Banks J. P. Prec. No. 4. 

C. C. Leonard J. P. Prec. No. 5. 

J. J. Marvick J. P. Prec. No. 6. 

H. F. Hawkins J. P. Prec. No. 7. 

November 5, 1878-1880. 

W. H. Bullock County Judge. 

W. W. Brady County Clerk. 

W. D. Gose District Clerk. 

J. W. Patterson. . . . -. County Attorne3^ 

W. A. Anderson Treasurer. 

A. Devereux Surveyor. 

John W. Hogg Sheriff and Col. Taxes. 

C. C. Leonard .Assessor of Taxes. 

W. A. Perrin Inspector, Hide.s and Animals. 

R. H. Beall J. P. Prec. No. 1. 

E. Farrington I. P. Prec. No. 2. 

W. B. Smith J. P. Prec. No. 3. 

Marcus Wilner J. P. Prec. No. 4. 

Amos Finch J. P. Prec. No. f). 

C. W. Clifton J. P. Prec. No. (). 

H. F. Hawkins J. P. Prec. No. 7. 

B. W. Mann J. P. Prec. No. 8. 

J. D. White Co. Commissioner No. 1. 

J. A. Neafus Co. Commissioner No. 2. 

W. B. Austin Co. Connnissioner No. 3. 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 443 



pvibc of Decatur'' 



44 



44 



pcvtcction" . . . 



THE two above brands represent 
the best of the milling art 

in flour 

They are turned out by the un- 
excelled machinery of our mill, and 
are made from the best wheat 

obtainable 

Breadmaking of all kinds is an 
easy and therefore satisfactory process 
when our flours are used ♦ . . . 
The superiority of our mill and 
methods may be depended upon to 
keep our products up to the standard 
of best 



Cillard milling Company 

. . . Decatur, Cexa$ . . . 



444 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

LIST OF SUCCEEDING COUNTY OFFICIALS. — CON't 

November 2, 1880-1882. 

S. H. Hodges County Judge. 

W. W. Brady County Clerk. 

W. D. Gose District Clerk. 

J. W. Patterson County Attorney. 

W. A. Anderson Treasurer. 

J. J. Terrell Surveyor. 

T. R.Allen Sheriff. 

Geo. W. Stevens Assessor of Taxes. 

Amos Finch Collector of Taxes. 

T. E. Lovelace Inspector Hides and Animals. 

S.S.Cobb J. P. No. 1. 

W. C. Turner J. P. No. 2. 

W. B. Smith J. P. No. 3. 

Wm. Netherland J. P. No. 4. 

J. R.Baker ■ J. P. No. 5. 

S.W.Snyder J. P. No. 6. 

T. Merriman J. P. No. 7. . 

F. M. Strange J. P. No. 8. ' 

W. F. Burton Commissioner No. 1. 

A. Hodges Commissioner No. 2. 

Joel Burrow Commissioner No. 3. 

Joe Stephens Commissioner No. 7. 

November 7, 1882-1884. 

Geo. B. Pickett County Judge. 

John W. Hogg County Clerk. 

John J. Terrell District Clerk. 

Lee Newton County Attorney. 

Fred L. Mershon County Treasurer. 

Geo. C. Wilton Surveyor. 

Thos. R.Allen Sheriff. 

C. C. Leonard Assessor. 

Amos Finch Collector. 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 445 



Wise County Messenger 



ESTABLISHED J 880 



The oldest and most widely circulated weekly on 
Fort Worth and Denver Railroad 



DEMOCRATIC IN PRINCIPLE 

PROGRESSIVE IN SPIRIT 



The Messenger accepts advertising 
on the guarantee that it has more 
bona fide circulation among the 
buying classes in Decatur and Wise 
County than any other paper pub- 
lished in this section 



FIRST IN NEWS 

FIRST IN CIRCULATION 

FIRST IN EVERYTHING 

PUBLISHED BY 

COLLINS and SMITH 

DECATUR, TEXAS 



446 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

LIST OF SUCCEEDING COUNTY OFFICIALS. — CON't 

Jas. T. Allen Inspector, Hides and Animals. 

S.S.Cobb J. P. No. 1. 

J. T. Johnson J. P. No. 2. 

W. Nethcrland J. P. No. 3. 

M. W. Baker J. P. No. 4. 

L.L.Ward J. P. No. 5. 

S. W. Snyder J. P. No. 6. 

T. Morriman J. P. No. 7. 

D. P. Newsome J. P. No. 8. 

John Crutchfield Commissioner No. 1. 

J. H. Hanks Commissioner No. 2. 

J. L. Crawford Commissioner No. 3. 

W. A. Killough Commissioner No. 4. 

November 4, 1884-1886. 

W. W. Brady County Judge. 

H. L. Ward County Clerk. 

Will A. Miller Clerk, District Court. ■ 

R, E. Carswell.' County Attorney. 

F. L. Mershon County Treasurer. 

Geo. C. Wilton .' Surveyor. 

A. Dunlap Tax Assessor. 

Amos Finch Tax Collector. 

J. W. Embry J. P. No. 1. 

J. E. Cochran J. P. No. 2. 

A. G. Browning J. P. No. 3. 

J.M.Smith J. P. No. 4. 

T. S. Gardner J. P. No. 5. 

P. W. Minter J. P. No. 6. 

H. F. Hawkins J. P. No. 7. 

D. P. Newsome J. P. No. 8. 

W. P. Russell Commissioner No. 1. 

J. H. Hanks Commissioner No. 2. 

A. E. Barksdale Commissioner No. 3. 

W. H. Mashon Commissioner No. 4. 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 



447 



T. J. MANN G. W. STEPHENSON J. LEE MANN 

MANN & CO. 



PARADISE, TEXAS 



Dry Goods, Groceries 
Cigars, Tobacco, Etc. 



COUNTRY PRODUCE BOUGHT AND SOLD 



OUR stock is kept equipped 
up-to-date. By long resi- 
dence among you we feel 
that we appreciate the needs of our 
customers. We buy to sell, and 
that means we buy good goods as 
cheaply as possible and sell them 
to you the same way. Make 
our store your headquarters. 



448 PIOXEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY, 



list of succeeding county officials. — con t 

November 2, 1886-1888. 

W. W. Braily County Judge. 

H. L. Ward County Clerk. 

W.. A. Miller District Clerk. 

R. E. Carswell .County Attorney. 

L. K. Pounds County Treasurer. 

J. W. Tyler County Surveyor. 

W. J. Mann County Sheriff. 

W. D. Paschall Tax Assessor. 

D. W. Frazer Tax Collector. 

J. W. Embry J. P. No. 1. 

J. A. Hodges J. P. No. 2. 

T. F. Carden J. P. No. 3. 

J.M.Smith'. J. P. No. 4. 

T. S. Gardner J. P. No. 5. 

R.D.Bailey J. P. No. 6. 

H. F. Hawkins J. P. No. 7. 

W. A. Shawn J. P. No. 8. 

W. P. Russell Co. Commissioner No. 1. 

J. J. Gaut Co. Commissioner No. 2. 

A. E. Barksdale Co. Commissioner No. 3. 

Joel Burrow Co. Commissioner No. 4. 

November 6, 1888-1890. 

W. H. Bullock County Judge. 

C. J. Crabb County Clerk. 

S. G. Tankersley District Clerk. 

T. J. McMurray County Attorney. 

L. K. Pounds Treasurer. 

Will H. Price Surveyor. 

W S.Gilbert. Sheriff. 

W. D. Paschall Tax Assessor. 

B. W. Mann Tax Collector. 

H. F. Anderson J. P. No. 1. 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 



449 



ESTABLISHED 1887 



Published by L. H. MILLER 



The Alvord Budget 

Issued in the best farming section of Wise County 



Subscription price Sl.OO the year 



PE/^T JOP IFMlKITJiQi 

IS OUR HOBBY 





XLhc Chico IRcvicw 

JUNE P. MILLER, Editor and Publisher 



Published at Chico on Rock Island Ry. 




A first-class paper published in 
an enterprising community 



Democratic in principle. Established J 892 



CIRCULATION 1200 



29 



450 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



LIST OF SUCCEEDING COUNTY OFFICIALS. — CON T 

J. M. Spcnerr J. P. No. 2. 

J. T. Litchfield J. P. No. 3. 

W. J. N. Welborn J. P. No. 4. 

A.C.Hill J. P. No. 5. 

J. G. Summers . . J. P. No. 0. 

P. W. Tmmell J. P. No. 7. 

0. M. Hancock J. P. No. 8. 

J. P. Fullingini Co. Commissioner No. 1. 

J. S. Berry Co. Commissioner No. 2. 

Joel BmTOw Co. Commissioner No. 3. 

C. B. Wood Co. Commissioner No. 4. 

November 4, 1890-1892. 

J. T. Johnson County Judge. 

T. W. Brown County Clerk. 

Sam G. Tankersley District Clerk. 

T. J. McMurray County Attorney. 

J. M. Gibbs Treasurer. 

J. E. Boyett "... Surveyor. 

J. L. Rucker Sheriff.' 

J. Wash. Davis Tax Assessor. 

H. F. Hawkins Tax Collector. 

H. F. Anderson J. P. No. 1. 

S.G. Leslie. J. P. No. 2. 

S.F.Green J. P. No. 3. 

W. E. Burrow J. P. No. 4. 

G. W. Watkins J. P. No. 5. 

S. A. Vandiver J. P. No. 6. 

J. T. Buckaloo J. P. No. 7. 

G. W. Walker J. P. No. 8. 

J. P. Fullingim Co. Commissioner No. 1. 

A. G. Henderson Co. Conniiissioner No. 2. 

C. C. Leonard Co. Commissioner No. 3. 

W. A. Shawn Co. Commissioner No. 4. 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 451 



JIM B. THOMAS 

" LEADS IN :^r^z^ =r^ 



Dry Goods, Clothing, 
Boots, Shoes, Etc. 



THE BARGAIN HOUSE OF ALVORD. ATTRACTIVE 
OFFERINGS OF SUPERIOR GOODS AT ALL SEASONS 
OF THE YEAR. COME AND INVESTIGATE .^ j* 



WE ALSO SELL A HIGH-GRADE SEWING MACHINE 
WHICH YOU SHOULD SEE ^ ^ ^ jt ^ jt jt 



ALVORD - - TEXAS 

ADCOCK and THOMAS 



DEALERS IN STAPLE AND FANCY 
GROCERIES, FEED, SEED AND 
SEASONABLE PRODUCE . . . 



WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR TRADE AND 
OFFER HONEST INDUCEMENTS TO GET IT 



ALVORD = = = TEXAS 



452 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

LIST OF SUCCEEDING COUNTY OFFICIALS. CON't 

November 8, 1892-1894. 

County Judge, County Clerk, Treasurer, Surveyor, Sheriff, 
Tax Assessor, Tax Collector, J. P. No. 7, same. 

J. C. Casey District Clerk. 

C. V. Terrell County Attorney. 

J. A. Tankersley J. P. Nc l. 

J. H. Hanks J. P. No. 2. 

R. F. Harbev J. P. No. 3. 

T. L.Taylor J. P. No. 4. 

J. S. Proctor J. P. No. 5. 

T.J. Dillehay J. P. No. (i. 

H. C. Brown J. P. No. 8. 

John H. Wallace Co. Commissioner No. 1. 

W. J. Leach Co. Commissioner No. 2. 

A. B. Russ(41 Co. Connnissioner No. 3. 

W. P. Collier Co. Connnissioner No. 4. 

November (i, 1894-189(). 

R. F. Spencer County Judge. 

M. L. Hamilton County Clerk. 

J. C. Casey District Clerk. 

C. V. Terrell County Attorney. 

J. C. Caldwx'll County Treasurer.- 

J. G. Browi'i Surveyor. 

John Moore Sheriff. 

AVm. Spear Tax Assessor. 

C. B. Gunn Tax Collector. 

J. A. Tankersley : . . J. P. No. 1. 

R. H. Revnolds J. P. No. 2. 

W.H.Harvey J. P. No. 3. 

B.F.Banks J. P. No. 4. 

J. S. Proctor J. P. No. 5. 

T. A. Vandivcr J. P. No. (>. 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 453 



Lillard & Johnston 



Wholesale and Retail 

Hardware, 
Agricultural Implements, 

Saddlery, Harness, 

Queens ware, Tinware, 

Glassware, Etc* 



Awf/naDeca... Mvord, Tcxas 



Wares of all kinds to suit the seasons 
Implements for all kinds of work 
Make our store your headquarters 



454 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

LIST OF SUCCEEDING COUNTY OFFICIALS. — CON't 

T. Merriman J. P. No. 7. 

H. C. Brown J. P. No. 8. 

John H. Wallace •. . . .Co. Commissioner No. 1. 

J. W. Boone : Co. Commissioner No. 2. 

A. B. Russell Co. Commissioner No. 3. 

S. A. Keen Co. Commissioner No. 4. 

November 3, 1896-1898. 

J. T. Johnson County Judge. 

M. L. Hamilton County Clerk, 

John E. Boyd District Clerk. 

J. T. Buckaloo County Attorney. 

J. C. Caldwell County Treasurer, 

J. A. Elder Surveyor. 

J. W. Moore Sheriff. 

Wm. Spear Tax Assessor. 

C. B. Gunn Tax Collector, 

J. A. Tankersley J. P. No. 1. 

R. H. Reynolds J. P. No. 2. 

H. H. Wells J. P. No. 3. 

J. P. No. 4. 

J. S. Proctor J. P. No. 5. 

T. A. Vandiver J. P. No. 6. 

T. Merriman J. P. No. 7. 

A.L.Boyd J. P. No. 8. 

W. R. Hart Co. Commissioner No. 1. 

Eli Tibbetts Co. Commissioner No. 2. 

W. D. Paschall Co. Commissioner No. 3. 

J. A. Nail Co. Commissioner No. 4. 

November 8, 1898-1900. 

S. G. Tankersley County Judge. 

Guinn Williams County Clerk. 

John E. Boyd District Clerk. 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 455 



LIST OF SUCCEEDING COUNTY OFFICIALS.— CON T 

J. T. Biickaloo. . County Attorney. 

A. D. Rogers County Treasurer. 

J. A. Elder County Surveyor. 

T. F. McClurc Sheriff. 

J. D. Allgood Tax Assessor. 

Sam P. Parks Tax Collector. 

H. D. Spencer J. P. No. 1. 

D.W. Purcell J. P. No. 2. 

Jerry McKay J. P. No. 3. 

J. S. Solomon J. P. No. 4. 

J. S. Proctor J. P. No. 5. 

T. A. Vandiver J. P. No. 6. 

W. H. Kirkpatrick. J. P. No. 7. 

A. T. Boyd J. P. No. 8. , 

G. G. Neilson Co. Commissioner No. 1. 

L. E. Tibbetts Co. Commissioner No. 2. 

W. D. Paschall Co. Commissioner No. 3. 

J. D. Hamilton Co. Commissioner No. 4. 



November 6, 1900-1902. 

S. G. Tankersley County Judge. 

Guinn Williams County Clerk. 

Carl Faith District Clerk. 

Frank J. Ford County Attorney. 

A. D. Rogers Treasurer. 

A, Devereux Surveyor. 

T. F. McClure ; . . . .Sheriff. 

E. 0. Lively Tax Assessor. 

Sam Parks Tax Collector. 

H. D. Spencer J. P. No. 1. 

Dan Purcell .J. P. No. 2. 

J. M. McKay J. P. No. 3. 

J. S. Soloman J. P. No. 4. 

J. S. Proctor J. P. No. 5. 

T. A. Vandiver J. P. No. 6. 



45() PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 



LIST OF SUCCEEDING COUNTY OFFICIALS. — CON T 

W. H. Kirkpatrick J. P. No. 7. 

J.W.Walker J. P. No. 8. 

G. G. Neilson Co. Commissioner No. 1. 

J. C. Frazier. . . Co. Commissioner No. 2. 

Ben F. Martin Co. Commissioner No. 3. 

I. J. Hartsell Co. Conmiissioner No. 4. 

November 14, 1902-1904. 

John G. Gose Comity Judge. 

T. J. Dillehay Comity Clerk. 

Carl Faith District Clerk. 

F. J. Ford County Attorney. 

J. R. Davenport County Treasurer. 

A. Devereux Surveyor. 

J. L. Cearley Sheriff. 

E. 0. Lively Tax Assessor. 

R. C. Mount Tax Collector. 

E.M.Allison J. P. No. 1. 

T.Ira Pirtle J. P. No. 2. 

Jerry McKay J. P. No. 3. 

J. B. Banks J. P. No. 4. 

A. A. Brown J. P. No. 5. 

G. B. McCarty J. P. No. 6. 

M. W. Cannon J. P. No. 7. 

J.W.Walker J. P. No. 8. 

A. R. Drake Co. Commissioner No. 1. 

J. C. Frazi(M- Co. Commissioner No. 2. 

I. J. Hartsell Co. Commissioner No. 3. 

B. F. Martin Co. Commissioner No. 4. 

November 8, 1904-190(5. 

County Judge, County Clerk, Sheriff, Tax Collector, County 
Treasurer, County Surveyor and Justice of Peace, same. 

D. W. Cooper Assessor of Taxes. 

H. D. Spencer County Attorney. 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 457 

LIST OF SUCCEEDING COUNTY OFFICIALS. — CON't 

1906-1908. 

C. V. Terrell County Judge. 

H. E. Brady County Clerk. 

Ben Short Co. Supt. Instruction. 

Carl Faith District Clerk. 

H. D. Spencer County Attorney. 

J.M.Branch Sheriff. 

J. Wash. Davis Treasurer. 

C. C. Henderson Tax Collector. 

D. W. Cooper Tax Assessor. 

A. Devereux Surveyor. 

T. L. St. Clair ^ 

I.J. Hartsell 1 

D. R. D. Pruett [ County Connnissioners. 

J. M. Portwood 

J. A. Tankersley J. P. No. 1. 

W. M. Workman Constable. 



FOUNDING OF BRIDGEPORT. 

February 11, 1860, might be termed the -date of the founding 
of the old town of Bridgeport. On this date Col. Hunt and 
others of Wise County secured for the West Fork Bridge Co. a 
charter from the state to put a bridge across West Fork River 
at a point in i\w neighborhood of the old town of Bridgeport. 
This was in })ursuance of an agreement which had been entered 
into by Hunt et al, and the Overland Transcontinental Mail Co., 
which l^argained to change the route of the mail line to run 
through Decatur and thence to Bridgeport instead of traversing 
the northern section of the county as originally it had done. 

Hunt and others agreed also to put a bridge across Sandy 
Creek as well as the West Fork River, and to open up a travcn- 
sibla highway from Decatur via Bridgeport to Jack County line. 



458 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

The bridge across Sandy Creek was made of logs resting on 
stone columns with logs split and pegged down for floor. Cotton- 
wood sleepers were used in the West Fork bridge, which after- 
wards sprung out of shape and fell into the river. The old site 
of Bridgeport was soon decorated with a small building in which 
a typical pioneer saloon — the Buckhoi'ii — was conducted. 
Another small building was erected and a store started therein. 
Pierce Woodward, a citizen of the community, then gave the 
place the name of Bridgeport, to which the town, although 
changed from the original location, has clung. 

Thus is the first chapter of the founding of Bridgeport — ante 
helium Bridgeport. But there are other chapters. The war 
came up and the mail route was abandoned and the bridge 
became useless. It soon fell into the river. 

Upon the declaration of peace, the United States Government 
soon as possible took charge again of the frontier garrisons. A 
large post was built at Jacksboro called Ft. Richardson. Large 
quantities of supplies were needed for Ft. Richardson, and had 
to be transported overland from the east. The necessity of 
another bridge at Bridgeport to facilitate theii* hauling was 
apparent. Chas. D. Cates was then a merchant at Decatur 
and saw the commercial value of bridging the river at Bridgeport. 
In association with J. W. Hale, he secured a second charter 
from the state and built a second bridge at a cost of $5,500.00, 
at the former site of the old structure. Additionally, the old 
town was laid out into streets and lots; a combined saw and 
grist mill and cotton gin was erected and a store established. A 
toll of $1.00 for wagon and teams and fifty cents for horsemen 
was charged for crossing the bridge. Supplies for Ft. Richardson 
were shipped by railroad to Denison, and thence hauled overland 
via Bridgeport to Jacksboro. Money was made from the bridge 
enterprise. Mr. Cates then began to buy up land in the vicinity 
of Bridgeport and soon had 2,000 acres under control. Coal 
was then discovered to underlie the land and a pioneer company 
was organized to develop the mines. In this company were 
some of the okl time well-known men of Wise County — J. C. 
Carpenter, J. G. Halsell, J. J. Lang, H. Greathouse, D. Waggoner 
and C. D. Cates. The mines were worked perfunctorily until the 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 459 

building of the Rock Island Railway into the section, when the 
plant was expanded and the output became profitable. 

But we must return now to date May 1, 1873, when a great 
celebration took place to dedicate the new bridge. The celebra- 
tion occurred in the vicinity of the bridge, and was participated 
in by the elect of the towns of Jacksboro and Decatur. The 
contingent of the latter town consisted of all the belles and 
beaux of the place — ^the former in shining white May Day 
attire; also the more sedate population and a big brass band. 
The Jacksboro contingent, besides its smartest citizenship, con- 
sisted of a squad of 150 dress uniformed United States soldiers 
from Ft. Richardson. Henry Thompson, a well-known citizen 
of Jacksboro, had charge of the Jacksboro end of the ceremonies. 

May 1st, 1873, arrived. The Decatur and Jacksboro people 
left for the scene. The whole country was there. When the 
Decatur people arrived they stopped at their end of the briclge and 
formed a procession to march across. The band was placed 
first and the young ladies in dresses of snow came after. 
The band struck up a martial air and the procession started. 
A, thrill was in the air. Everybody was prancing and march- 
ing, when presently a momentary spasm of fear shot through 
the Decatur folks. They looked to the other end of the 
bridge and the 150 soldiers were bearing dowji on them 
with guns. For an instant the crowd shrank away, but 
then it looked again and smiled. The guns of the gallant 
soldiers were bottles and in the bottles was the finest of 
champagne. Another such welcome they never received. 
The dancing was then begun. Two styles of dancing was en- 
gaged in — that which may be now called the old, but then the 
new, which was square dancing. The other was the style just 
then coming into vogue in high society — waltzing and ractiueting. 
An itinerant dancing professor had been through the larger 
pioneer towns and taught the new vogue. The " Committee on 
Order," composed largely of citizens who knew nothing of the 
" vogue " called a halt that day on the new style and said it 
must be stopped, that it lacked something of being perfectly 
proper. A troublous time ensued, and the adepts of the vogue ' 
were sorely aggrieved. But finally the believers in the old way 



460 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

were convinced, were shown that the " new " had obtained in 
high society, and yielded their prejudices, and the dance went on. 

The day was a grand celebration to the new convenience to 
travel. Oratory flowed forth, beeves were killed and barbecued, 
the band blared constantly and (niergetically, and individual 
spirits ran high. The occasion is remembeerd as one of the 
memorable functions of the time. 

Thus was the inception of old Bridgeport. The big, bustling, 
busy Bri(lge])ort of the present, came to life when the Rock 
Island Railway was built through that section of the county, 
upwards of a decade ago. The track was laid perhaps a mile 
east of th(^ old town, and the old town moved over to it, antl has 
grown into a large, prosperous place filled with enterprising 
modern people. The coal mines have been developed to full 
capacity, bringing in many miners' families and an enterprising 
commercial pouplation attracted by the large monthly pay roll. 
The rich natural lands are being developed and small mills and 
plants started. Bridgeport is one of the best towns on the 
lower Rock Island Railroad, and no places promise more for the 
future. Besides its natural advantages it has a hustling array 
of merchants and a commercial organization — The 5,000 Club — 
to keep it climbing the path of {)rogress. 




ADVERTISEMENTS. 461 



A. B. CONLEY, JR. 



EVERY town of enterprise sports some kind of 
commercial or [business organization, and at the 
head of such organization may be looked for the 
man who best represents the enterprise and progressive 
spirit of the community. A. B. Conley, Jr., of Bridgeport, 
is the President of the Bridgeport 5000 Club, and thus 
stands the personality in whom is identified the action 
and energy of the town. The present Bridgeport is not 
an old town, but Mr. Conley wields control over the oldest 
established concern in the place, which is a large general 
merchandise store now at the height of its prosperity. 

Mr. Conley is a native of Louisiana, born in Grant 
Parish, April 7th, 1878, but spent his early years in Ten- 
nessee, at Milan, where he attended the common schools 
of the town. He came to Wise County with his parents, 
Dr. and Mrs. A. B. Conley, of Decatur, in 1888. Dr. Conley 
was for many years a merchant at Decatur and elsewhere 
and gave his boy a comprehensive training in the details 
of buying and selling, to which was added a collegiate 
education gained at the University of Kentucky. 

At Lexington, Ky., in LS94, Mr. Conley married one 
of Kentucky's fair daughters, who was Miss Nannie 
McAndrew. To them have been born six children 
with names as follows: Ernest, Marion, Elmer, Frances, 
A. B. Jr., and Virginia. 

Mr. Conley's success in business has been rapid, 
which is illustrative of the estimation in which he is held 
by the buying public of Bridgeport and vicinity. Only 
recently he has turned his attention to investments in 
Wise County lands and quite singularly enough his first 
investment was placed in the historical farm where the 
Babb family was massacred. Soon after he leased part 
of this property to the Ft. W. & D.C. R'y for a stone or 
ballast quarry, from which Mr. Conley derives a hand- 
some revenue. The general business interests of Bridgeport 
are safe in the hands of the President of the 5000 Club. 



462 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

L. D. KIRKPATRICK 

Furniture, 
Carpets, Mattings 
and_Undertaker s Goods 



A complete stock of the newest and best goods of the 
latest designs. Call and look over our store, be convinced 
of the high quality of our stock and the reasonableness 
of the prices, at which they are offered. 



BRIDGEPORT, TE XAS. 

B. B. POO R K 

Druooist 

BRIDGEPORT, TEXAS 



The growth of our business is satisfactory 
to us, and reflects that the people of this 
community have discovered where to find 
entire satisfaction in buying drugs and 
other articles of our trade 



WE KEEP ALL STAPLE DRUGS 

AND CAREFULLY FILL PRESCRIPTIONS 
WE HANDLE PAINTS, OILS AND GLASS 

OUR JEWELRY DEPARTMENT IS COMPLETE 
VISIT OUR SODA FOUNTAIN 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 



463 



Cbe li)m Coumv Tndex 



The Boyd Index. Established October 3, 1893; 

The Bridgeport Index, Estabhshed July 4, 1902; 

Consolidated November 8, 1907, 



Orion Procter _ _ . Editor; 
J. S. Procter and Edgar Procter, Associates 



Published Weekly at One Dollar Per Year by 



Index Publisbing Company 

- Bridgeport and Boyd, Cexa« ■ 




464 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY 



Z. F. mifBBB 



(KEGISTERKD) 



aroaa^ist 



prescript ioos Frilled at all hours 



Also Optical Goods, Combs, Brushes, Paints, Oils, 
Wall Paper, Window Glass, Watches, Clocks 
Jewelry, News Stand, Musical Instruments, School 
Books, School Supplies, Fine Confectioneries, 
Stationery and Perfumery, Soda Fountain. In fact 
everything usually kept in a firstclass drug store 



;KI©©SP@MT, TBXMS 



POEMS BY BELLE HUNT SHORTRIDGE, 
MY SISTER. 

(Kate Hunt Cr.\dixk"K.) ! 

I have the sweetest haven 

Of any coast on earth ; 
Where not a breaker heaveth. 

Nor any wind has birth. 
The secret? Listen, do not start — 
My sister's heart ! 

I have the bkiest hea\'eii 

That ever leaned o'er sea ; 
The cahnest, clearest sky-world 

To bend and smile on nuv 
Soft! it is too, a great surprise — 
My sister's eyes ! 



advi:rtisements. 465 

I have a lani}) Alladin, 

Most connnoiiplace and small ; 
You'd see it every day, niO!<t, 

And wonder not at all. 
Yet it invokes the genii band — 
My sister's hand ! 

I have the prettiest picture, 

That smiles and frowns and nods. 
The canvas is — my memory! 

The painter's hand was — God's! 
It follows me from place to place — 
My sister's face ! 

There is " another of me 

With all the bad rubbed out." 
The spirit seems my spirit. 

Yet, it is gird about 
With light and beauty wonderful ! — 
My sister-soul! 



PARADISE, TEX. 

Paradise is a thriving little Wise County town located oh the 
Rock Island Railway, in a rich country in the southwest part of 
the county. Bill Anderson erected a store on Paradise Prairie 
in 1873. Charlie Jones put up a blacksmith and wood shop 
about the same time. This was the beginning of the old town 
which has since been moved a short distance to the railroad. 
It is now thickly surrounded with good enterprising people. 
The town has grown, and good schools, churches, banks and 
business houses have increased in number. 

30 



466 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY, 



J. T. MORTON J. W. WOOD 

MORTON & WOOD 

PARADISE, TEXAS 

DEALERS IN 

Hardwa^'e, Irnple^nents, Buggies. 
Wagons, Furniture and Coffins 

HONEST GOODS AT HONEST PRICES 

We invite an inspection of our Stock which is season- 
able at all times. We keep constantly on the lookout 
for bargains to offer you. 

CALL AND SEE US 



WISE COUNTY'S FIRST NEWSPAPER. 

Taking into account the time, place and manner of starting, 
the establishment of Wise County's pioneer newspaper, is a 
testimonial to the genius and enterprise of the conquering race 
of Americans. Two years before the fierce warwhoop of the 
savage had died a death of stillness in the quiet forests of this 
wild county, the song of the printing press had been set up to 
chant triumphant anthems of praise in behalf of liberty, prog- 
ress and development, The pioneer editor was Tom Ed. 
Bomar, a veteran newspaper editor, now living in Sherman, 
Texas, in retrospective enjoyment of an earnest and well spent 
hfe. 

Mr. Bomar came out to this frontier from Sherman in the 
wake of that wave of progress that rolled over the land after 
civil war had fought to its own extinguishment and after sav- 
age depredation had somewhat abated. This was in the early 
seventies. He came across the wild country a horseback in the 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 467 

spring glory of the year, and his description of the grandeur of 
the scenery that met his gaze has been, in part, quoted in the 
introduction to this book. 

Touching upon his arrival in Decatur and his subsequent 
establishment of the ''Advance Guard," the pioneer paper, Mr. 
Bomar says: 

"Upon my arrival at Decatur I was directed to the Decatur 
Hotel, a single story, double building, which, if my memory 
serves me right, was a part frame and part log structure, con- 
ducted by Captain A. H. Shoemaker, where I was entertained 
in the most hospitable old-time Texas manner. 



The "Advance Guard." 

After a good night's rest I started out the next morning to 
interview the citizens of the little frontier town upon the sub- 
ject of establishing a newspaper, and found them fully awake to 
the advantages of such an enterprise. Among the first men I 
met in front of the old Collins and Waggoner store on the west 
side of the sc^uare, were Charles D. Cates, R. M. (Bob) Collins, 
and Uncle Sewell Brown, to whom I was presented by Captain 
Shoemaker. It only took about five minutes to make us 
friends, and it was agreed that we should see other citizens in 
company. Among the men I met that clay were those men- 
tioned, together with Jack Brown, Charles More, Ceph Woods, 
Col. Bishop, Samuel L. Terrell, J. D. White, John W. Hogg, 
Granger Salmon, Clabe Cates, Col. Ggorge Pickett, Clay Fer- 
guson, Dr. T. H. Griffin, Dr. Wm. Renshaw, and quite a num- 
ber of others who lived in and near Decatur, whose kindness 
and warm friendships I have never forgotten, and which will 
last beyond the shores of time. The unanimous verdict was 
"start the paper." 

All preliminaries being satisfactorily settled, I returned to 
Sherman, bought an equipmejit, and in September removed my 
family to Decatur, and opened up for "great things" in the 
newspaper line, using the northeast room of the old wooden 
courthouse for a printing office. Here, on the 5th dsiv of Octo- 



468 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

ber, 1872, the first number of the "Advance Guard" was issued, 
the little room being filled to crowding with friends anxious to 
witness its "birth." 

The original copy of the paper has been retained by Mr. Bo- 
mar as a prized possession, but in the following letter he has 
most generously consigned same to the Old Settlers' Associa- 
tion of this County for preservation : 

Sherman, Texas, Nov. 27, 190G. 
Cliff D. Gates, 

Decatur, Texas : 

My Dear Sir — 

Complying with your request I herewith hand you the first 
newspaper ever pulled from a printing press in Wise County. 
This relic of my boyhood days I have prized as almost price- 
less, but since you proffer to give it such care, and to make it 
a part of the archives of the Early Settlers' Association of Wise 
County, I cheerfully place.it in your keeping, hoping that the 
generations of today and of the future may, as they look on its 
time-soiled pages, be filled with reverence for the noble men 
and women who were its friends and supporters. 

Your faithful friend, 

Tom Bomar. 



The paper is of date Saturday, October 5, 1872, its appro- 
priate motto being "Westward the Star of Empire Takes Its 
Way," its contents being spread out on four pages of six 
colunms each. The rates of advertising are estimated by 
squares and columns, one square running for one month cost- 
ing $3.00, while a half colunm for one month netted S25.00, 
and for six months, $00.00 It is stated that those who adver- 
tise by the year will be allowed to change copy quarterly, and 
that payments are due quarterly in advance; also, that all legal 
advertisements must be i)aid for in advance. 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 469 



C. C. Hawkins H. F. Hawkins 



Hawkins Brothers 

Dealers in 

Hardware, Btiggies, 
Wagons, Groceries, 
Agriculhcral hnplements, 
Furnittire, Twi7tes, Oils, 
Pumps, Wind Mills 

Chico - - - Texas 



Agents for J . I . Case Threshing Machine Company 



470 PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY. 

The title of the paper is ^'The Decatur Advance Guards Be- 
tween the words Advance and Guard stands or runs a raih'oad 
passenger train, and above the train are the words "The" and 
"Decatur." The general make-up of the paper would be credit- 
able to any town of Wise County today. Its editorials reflect 
timely topics, and are well written, and the typograpliical ar- 
rangement is clear, clean and tastefully displayed. Some very 
interesting things appear on the editorial page; for instance, 
the paper is printed a month previous to a Presidential elec- 
tion, and in the announcement column appears the following: 

Come, let us cheer with lusty throat. 
The man who wears a long white coat, 
And in November let us vote 
For honest Horace Greeley. 

It is a "reform" ticket the editor is urging as "the surest 
thing to beat Grant." Horace Greeley of New York is an- 
nounced for President; B. Gratz Brown of Missouri, for Vice- 
President; Roger Q. Mills announces for Congress; Judge Piner 
of Denton, for District Attorney; the town of Austin for loca- 
tion of the State Capitol, and R. M. Collins for County Treas- 
urer of Wise County. 

In a sketch headed "Decatur," the editor says in part: 

"Decatur is situated near the center of Wise County, on one 
of the highest prairie points in Western Texas. From our pub- 
lic square, looking to the east, north and south, extends one 
of the grandest prairie views that ever mortal man was per- 
mitted to look upon, while to the west is the West Fork Valley, 
covered with a heavy growth of timber, dotted here and there 
with beautiful jorairie glades and clearings made by settlers in 
that nice region of country." 

Further along in the same sketch we detect the following 
significant statement: 

"We have presented our town in what we deem to be a fair 
manner, and we ask those who doubt our statements to get 
aboard of the stage which runs tri-weekly between this and 
Sherman, and come and see for yourselves, and will wager 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 471 

twenty green walnuts that you will be tempted to leave your 
low, sickly, flat lands and come and take up your abode where 
God's air can be breathed without the impurities so common in 
eastern counties. We extend a world-wide invitation to all, 
regardless of political or religious sect or creed, to come and 
see the 'city set upon a hill.' " 

Under the head of "Salutatory," the editor greets his new 
constituency and passes to a discussion of national political 
questions in which he excoriates the "present administration," 
and again hoists the name of Greeley for President, "not regard- 
ing him as a Democrat," the editor says, "but as the nominee 
of the Democratic party, and as the surest chance to 'beat 
Grant.'" And, again, announcing what will be the paper's 
future attitude toward politics and politicians, the editor says: 

"While we expect to make things of a political nature as 
warm as if heated by an old-fashioned hickory log fire, we will 
try to deal out the doses of correction to our political opponents 
in such a manner that it will not deprive them of life to take 
them. Red hot and no chance for cooling, is exactly what may 
be expected of us, and if anyone gets a blistered shin, he stands 
forewarned, and cannot expect anything else if he goes wrong." 

The "Salutatory" is concluded as follows : "Now, we have 
laid down our lines, and we expect to run it that way, regard- 
less of old "Spotted Tail, Little Moccasin, or the Bully-Boy- 
with-a-glass eye, or any other dog-goned 'Ingin' " 

Among the advertising firms found using space in this first 
issue of the "Advance Guard," are Terrell & Kellum, Dr. Wm. 
Renshaw, Collins & Waggoner, Decatur House (conducted by 
Capt. A. H. Shoemaker), Gates & Woods, Shoemaker & Embry, 
druggists. Carpenter & Brown, Booth & Ferguson, lawyers. Dr. 
J. M. Embry, Dr. T. H. Griflin, Stanfield & Quigley, lawyers. 



